N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide is a more powerful predictor of mortality than endothelin-1, adrenomedullin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in patients referred for consideration of cardiac transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The selection of patients for cardiac transplantation is notoriously difficult. We have demonstrated that N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a powerful predictor of mortality in advanced heart failure and is superior to the traditional markers of chronic heart failure (CHF) severity. However, the comparative prognostic power of endothelin-1 (Et-1), adrenomedullin (Adm) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in this patient group is unknown.


RESULTS
We prospectively studied 150 consecutive patients with advanced CHF referred for consideration of cardiac transplantation. Blood samples for NT-proBNP, Et-1, Adm and TNF-alpha analysis were taken at recruitment and patients followed up for a median of 666 days. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality was reached in 25 patients and the secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality or urgent cardiac transplantation in 29 patients. The median values for NT-proBNP, Et-1, Adm and TNF-alpha were 1494 pg/ml [interquartile range 530-3930], 0.39 fmol/ml [0.10-1.24], 94 pg/ml [54-207] and 2.0 pg/ml [0-18.5] respectively. The only univariate and multivariate predictor of all-cause mortality (chi(2)=26.95, p<0.0001), or the secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality or urgent transplantation (chi(2)=31.23, p<0.0001), was an NT-proBNP concentration above the median value.


CONCLUSIONS
A single measurement of NT-proBNP in patients with advanced CHF can help identify patients at the highest risk of death, and is a better prognostic marker than Et-1, Adm and TNF-alpha.
Gardner
Roy S
RS
The Scottish Cardiopulmonary Transplant Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK. rsgardner@doctors.org.uk
Chong
Victor
V
Morton
Iain
I
McDonagh
Theresa A
TA
D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D053607:Adrenomedullin