title: Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides in stable and unstable ischemic heart disease.
abstract: Across the entire spectrum of ischemic heart disease, amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) are a strong and independent prognostic indicator, representing a particularly strong predictor of heart failure or death. This risk is independent of all other variables, including renal function or troponin, and is proportional to the magnitude of NT-proBNP release, with higher risk observed among those with a more marked elevation of the marker. Although prospective studies on the effect of NT-proBNP measurement in guiding therapy in ischemic heart disease are lacking, among patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes, it is recommended to measure NT-proBNP on (or near) the time of admission. An elevated initial NT-proBNP concentration should prompt consideration of an early invasive management approach. Consideration should be given to repeating the NT-proBNP measurement after 24-72 hours and again at 3-6 months because these follow-up measurements provide more long-term prognostic information than single measures at presentation. In acute ischemic heart disease, an NT-proBNP value >250 ng/L is associated with an adverse prognosis. In patients with stable coronary artery disease, measurement may be performed for prognostication purposes at 6- to 18-month intervals. In the case of clinical suspicion of disease progression, a new sample may be warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, Akerhus University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. torbjorn.omland@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Torbjørn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Omland
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Lemos
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain