NT-ProBNP in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the early treatment of patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTACS) has been evaluated in 6 large studies that include >12,000 patients.


RESULTS
These studies convincingly show that this marker of cardiac performance is associated strongly with death and the risk of future congestive heart failure and carry important prognostic information that is independent from previous known risk factors in NSTACS. As such, NT-proBNP can be added to existing risk stratification models and multimarker approaches. There is some data that indicate that this marker might also be helpful in guiding decisions about coronary revascularization in these patients, but further studies are needed.


CONCLUSIONS
Before routine use of NT-proBNP in NSTACS, the extra cost of adding this new marker to the current routine markers and its impact on selection of treatment should be considered.
Jernberg
Tomas
T
Department of Medical Sciences and Cardiology and the Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Sweden
James
Stefan
S
Lindahl
Bertil
B
Stridsberg
Mats
M
Venge
Per
P
Wallentin
Lars
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000097:blood; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain