title: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels for dynamic risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elevated baseline levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal fragments of its prohormone, N-terminal-pro-BNP (NT-proBNP), have been associated with adverse long-term outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes, whereas the prognostic implications of serial NT-proBNP measurements have not been investigated to date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-proBNP, troponin T, and C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and at 48 and 72 hours in 1791 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Death and myocardial infarction were recorded during 30 days of follow-up. After adjustment for independent predictors of cardiac risk, baseline NT-proBNP levels >250 ng/L were associated with higher event rates (adjusted OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.3 to 5.7; P<0.001). In troponin T-negative patients, NT-proBNP identified a subgroup of high-risk patients (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 2.6 to 13.3; P<0.001). The risk in those patients (7.2%) did not significantly differ from that in troponin T-positive patients (9.8%; P=0.25). Importantly, clinical stabilization without refractory ischemia was associated with a rapid (as soon as 48 hours after onset of symptoms) and significant (48 hours; -24%; 72 hours, -49%; both P<0.001) decline in NT-proBNP levels. In patients with high NT-proBNP baseline levels, lack of a rapid decline in NT-proBNP levels (< or =250 ng/L) was linked to an adverse short-term prognosis (OR, 33.7; 95% CI, 8.2 to 138.8; P<0.001). In patients with low NT-proBNP baseline levels, a rise in NT-proBNP levels over 72 hours to >250 ng/L was also linked to an adverse 30-day prognosis (OR, 24.0; 95% CI, 8.4 to 68.5; P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurohumoral activation as evidenced by NT-proBNP appears as a unifying feature that is independent of other biochemical markers (myocardial necrosis, inflammation) and is a powerful and independent determinant of the short-term cardiac risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Whether serial measurements of NT-proBNP in patients with ACS may be used to more rapidly identify patients suitable for early discharge or more intensive therapy deserves future prospective studies.
authors.affiliation: J.W. Goethe University, Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. c.heeschen@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heeschen
authors.forename: Christian W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: Veselin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mitrovic
authors.forename: Nicte-Ha
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lantelme
authors.forename: Harvey D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013577:Syndrome; D000077466:Tirofiban; D020107:Troponin T / Q000097:blood; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D015415:Biomarkers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D020107:Troponin T; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D014443:Tyrosine; D006493:Heparin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077466:Tirofiban; D001241:Aspirin