title: Design and methods of the Pro-B Type Natriuretic Peptide Outpatient Tailored Chronic Heart Failure Therapy (PROTECT) Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serial measurements of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) provide prognostic information in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). Changes in NT-proBNP concentrations parallel prognosis; however, it remains unclear whether HF care with a goal to maximize medical therapy and also lower NT-proBNP concentrations is superior to standard HF care alone.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the hypothesis that an HF strategy guided by NT-proBNP reduces cardiovascular events compared to standard of care HF management.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective randomized single-center trial, subjects with New York Heart Association class II to IV systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction < or =40%) will be enrolled. Both groups will receive standard HF management (with a goal for minimizing HF symptoms and achieving maximal dosages of therapies with proven mortality benefit in HF), whereas one group ("NT-proBNP") will also have treatment adjustments to reduce NT-proBNP concentrations < or =1,000 pg/mL. The primary end point of the trial is total cardiovascular events for a 1-year period; secondary end points will include effects of NT-proBNP-guided care on cardiac structure and function, quality of life, and total costs of care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enrollment began in 2006; of the original 300 planned, thus far, 151 subjects have been randomized. Interim analysis in November 2009 indicated significant reduction of events in the NT-proBNP arm. Full results are expected in 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Pro-B Type Natriuretic Peptide Outpatient Tailored Chronic Heart Failure Therapy (PROTECT) Study will test the hypothesis that therapy guided by NT-proBNP concentrations will be superior to standard of care HF management (www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00351390).
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Anju
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhardwaj
authors.forename: Shafiq U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Aaron L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Baggish
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Januzzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain