title: [Usefulness of NT-ProBNP as a biomarker of clinical status in outpatients with chronic heart failure].
abstract: The role of the amino-terminal fragment of probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in monitoring the clinical status of outpatients with chronic heart failure has not yet been fully established. Fifty-nine patients with chronic heart failure were followed up at an outpatient clinic. The serum NT-proBNP level was measured and clinical status was assessed according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and Framingham clinical criteria. A positive correlation was found between the NT-proBNP level, NYHA functional class and Framingham score (P< .001). Patients who presented with a Framingham score > 2 were more likely to be readmitted to hospital (31.8% vs. 0%; P< .001), to visit an emergency department (36.4% vs. 5.4%; P=.002), or to die (13.6% vs. 0%; P=.021). The NT-proBNP level was higher in patients who needed to be readmitted to hospital (P=.004) and in those who attended an emergency department for decompensation (P=.002).
authors: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, España. casadocerrada@hotmail.com
authors: Jesús M
authors: JM
authors: Casado
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Díaz
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Suárez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain