title: Prognostic importance of plasma NT-pro BNP in chronic heart failure in patients treated with a beta-blocker: results from the Carvedilol Or Metoprolol European Trial (COMET) trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) are increased in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Beta-blockers (BB) may influence these levels but it is unclear whether changes in NT-pro BNP reflect concomitant changes in prognosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prognostic importance of NT-pro BNP at baseline and during follow-up, in patients in whom beta-blocker therapy is initiated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In COMET, 3029 patients with CHF in NYHA class II-IV and EF<35% were randomised to carvedilol or metoprolol tartrate and were followed for an average of 58 months. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of NT-pro BNP at baseline (n=1559) and during follow-up (n=309).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline plasma concentrations of NT-pro BNP above the median (1242 pg/ml) were associated with higher all-cause mortality (RR 2.77; 95% CI 2.33-3.3, p<0.001). Patients who achieved NT-pro BNP levels<400 pg/ml during follow-up had a lower subsequent mortality (RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15-0.69, p=0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The plasma concentration of NT-pro BNP is a powerful predictor of mortality in patients with CHF. Patients who achieve an NT-pro BNP of <400 pg/ml subsequent to treatment with a beta-blocker have a favourable prognosis.
authors: Department of Emergency and Cardiovascular Medicine Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden, and Department of Cardiology, La Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris, France.
authors: Lars G
authors: LG
authors: Olsson
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Swedberg
authors: John G F
authors: JG
authors: Cleland
authors: Phillip A
authors: PA
authors: Spark
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Komajda
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Metra
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Torp-Pedersen
authors: Willem J
authors: WJ
authors: Remme
authors: Armin
authors: A
authors: Scherhag
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Poole-Wilson
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002227:Carbazoles; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011412:Propanolamines; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D000077261:Carvedilol; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D008790:Metoprolol