title: Predictive value of repeated versus single N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide measurements early after-myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A single, markedly elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) serum concentration predicts an increased risk of death after myocardial infarction (MI), though its sensitivity and predictive accuracy are low. We compared the predictive value of a modestly and persistently elevated, versus a single, markedly elevated measurement of N terminal pro-BNP (NT-BNP) early after MI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NT-BNP was measured 2-4, 6-10, and 14-18 weeks after MI. The median age of the 100 patients was 61 years, median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 0.40, and 88% were males. Over a median follow-up of 39 months, 10 patients died. The initial median NT-BNP was 802 pg/mL and declined over time (P = 0.002). An initial NT-BNP > or =2,300 pg/mL (upper quintile) was observed in 19 patients and predicted a 3.4-fold higher independent risk of death (P = 0.05), with modest sensitivity (30%) and positive predictive accuracy (16%). A NT-BNP consistently > or =1,200 pg/mL (upper tertile) was observed in 19 patients, and was associated with a 5.7-fold higher independent risk of death (P = 0.01), with a higher sensitivity (50%) and positive predictive accuracy (26%) than a single, markedly elevated NT-BNP measurement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A moderately and persistently elevated NT-BNP in the early post-MI period was associated with a 5.7-fold higher risk of death, independent of age, LVEF, and functional class. Compared with a single measurement, serial NT-BNP measurements early after MI were more accurate predictors of risk of death.
authors.affiliation: Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Calgary, Canada.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandhu
authors.forename: Bryan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Har
authors.forename: Sandeep G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: Derek V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Exner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain