title: Hemodynamic improvement of acutely decompensated heart failure patients is associated with decreasing levels of NT-proBNP.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Successful therapy in chronic clinically stable heart failure is reflected by decreasing serum NT-proBNP levels. This study evaluates therapy monitoring by NT-proBNP in comparison to invasively measured hemodynamic parameters in acutely decompensated heart failure patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 25 acutely decompensated chronic heart failure patients (NYHA III-IV, Cardiac Index (CI)<or=2.5 l/min/m(2) and a PCWP>or=15 mm Hg) changes in NT-proBNP and invasive hemodynamics were compared. Hemodynamic improvement in the first 24 h (CI>or=30% and PCWP<or=30%, compared to baseline) was associated with decreasing NT-proBNP levels; which was not seen in patients without hemodynamic improvement. To discriminate between responders and non-responders, a decline to <80% of the baseline NT-proBNP in the first 24 h was the best cut-off.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hemodynamic improvement in acutely decompensated heart failure patients is associated with decreasing NT-proBNP levels.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Knebel
authors.forename: Ingolf
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schimke
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diaz Ramirez
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schattke
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eddicks
authors.forename: Adrian C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain