N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
RESULTS
101 patients hospitalized for acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) were included in the study. Median N-terminal fragment of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) prohormone (Nt-proBNP) plasma level was 136 (40-335) pmol/l. Patients with increasing levels of troponin I [from low (0.1-10 ng/ml), intermediate (10-40 ng/ml) to high (> or =40 ng/ml) levels] had significantly increased levels of Nt-proBNP (p < 0.05). High-risk patients classified by a high PURSUIT score (i.e. supramedian) had significantly increased Nt-proBNP levels compared to patients with low scores (p < 0.001). Moreover, patients with in-hospital events (death, recurrent MI or clinical heart failure: 27%) had significantly increased median levels of Nt-proBNP compared to event-free patients (184 vs. 105 pmol/l, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data in an unselected population of NSTEMI patients indicate that high levels of circulating Nt-proBNP levels are associated with an increased risk of early cardiovascular events.
Zeller
M
M
Service de Cardiologie, CHU Bocage, Dijon, France. marianne.zeller@u-bourgogne.fr
Cottin
Y
Y
Laurent
Y
Y
Danchin
N
N
L'Huillier
I
I
Collin
B
B
Desgrés
J
J
Ravisy
J
J
Janin-Manificat
L
L
Makki
H
H
Jolak
M
M
Beer
J C
JC
Dentan
G
G
Gambert
P
P
Wolf
J E
JE
D000368:Aged; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain