title: Analysis of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The N-terminal portion of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been identified as an indicator of prognosis in different cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of measuring plasma NT-proBNP levels in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 66 patients admitted in our division for acute coronary syndromes. Patients underwent a venous blood sample within 24 h from the admission to determine NT-proBNP levels. Increasing plasma levels of NT-proBNP (in tertiles) was associated with a greater history of hypertension and current smoking, whereas biochemical parameters were associated with higher level of creatine kinase-MB mass, cardiac troponin I, and renal insufficiency. We detected correlations between the values of NT-proBNP and several variables; positive correlations were found between the values of NT-proBNP and creatinine (r=+0354; P=0.0024), cardiac troponin I levels (r=0320; P=0.0111), and creatine kinase-MB mass values (r=0261; P=0.035). An interesting result of our study was a significantly longer hospitalization in those patients belonging to the third tertile compared with those belonging to the first one (P=0.02). Finally, we showed a higher N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide level in patients with poor outcome during the hospitalization (left-ventricular systolic dysfunction, recurrent ischemic events, or death) compared with those who did not (3204+/-1841 vs. 836+/-1136, P=0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide provides predictive information during the hospitalization in patients with acute coronary syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, University Hospital P. Giaccone, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. g.coppola@unipa.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Egle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corrado
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mulè
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Augugliaro
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cucchiara
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novo
authors.forename: Gisella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Assennato
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novo
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D019210:Troponin I; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D003404:Creatinine; D052279:Creatine Kinase, MB Form