title: NT-proBNP predicts myocardial recovery after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to investigate the associations between B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), troponin T (TnT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) and changes in left ventricular function and size after acute coronary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 119 patients admitted for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, echocardiography and blood sampling were performed prior to coronary angiography. Echocardiography was repeated at follow-up after 8 ± 3 months. Left ventricular function was assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography. In 50 patients, infarct size was determined by magnetic resonance imaging. The associations between baseline levels of NT-proBNP, TnT and CRP and myocardial functional recovery, left ventricular intraventricular volumes and infarct size were determined by linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three biomarkers were associated with myocardial dysfunction at baseline. However, high levels of NT-proBNP were associated with better myocardial recovery, as measured by global longitudinal strain, even after adjusting for other factors potentially influencing myocardial recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated levels of NT-proBNP at baseline are independently associated with improved myocardial performance 8 months after non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway. kaspar.broch@ous-hf.no
authors.forename: Kaspar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Broch
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eek
authors.forename: Ragnhild
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wergeland
authors.forename: Thor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueland
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skårdal
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aukrust
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skulstad
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gullestad
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009206:Myocardium; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020107:Troponin T; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D020107:Troponin T; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D002097:C-Reactive Protein