Acute changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide during hospitalization and risk of readmission and mortality in patients with heart failure

Am J Cardiol. 2011 Apr 15;107(8):1191-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.12.018. Epub 2011 Feb 4.

Abstract

The level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a predictor of adverse events in patients with heart failure. We examined the relation between acute changes in NT-proBNP during a single hospitalization and subsequent mortality and readmission. The data from a cohort of 241 consecutive patients aged ≥ 25 years who had been admitted to an urban tertiary care hospital with a primary diagnosis of heart failure were analyzed. Creatinine and NT-proBNP were measured at admission and at discharge of the first admission. The patient demographics, co-morbidities, and length of stay were collected. The patients were prospectively grouped into 2 categories according to the acute changes in NT-proBNP: a decrease of ≥ 50% or <50% from admission to discharge. The primary composite outcome was readmission or death within 1 year of the first hospital admission. The unadjusted hazard ratio of readmission/death was 1.40 (95% confidence interval 0.97 to 2.01; p = 0.07) for those with a < 50% decrease in NT-proBNP compared to their counterparts with a ≥ 50% decrease. After adjustment for age, gender, race, and admission creatinine and NT-proBNP, the risk of readmission/death was 57% greater for those with a < 50% decrease (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 2.28; p = 0.02). An adjustment for co-morbidity, length of stay, and left ventricular ejection fraction did not significantly change this relation. Reductions in NT-proBNP of < 50% during an acute hospitalization for heart failure might be associated with an increased hazard of readmission/death, independent of age, gender, race, creatinine, admission NT-proBNP, co-morbidities, left ventricular ejection fraction, and length of stay. In conclusion, patients with a < 50% reduction in NT-proBNP might benefit from more intensive medical treatment, monitoring, and follow-up.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure / blood*
  • Heart Failure / mortality
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Maryland / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Patient Readmission / statistics & numerical data*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Protein Precursors
  • Survival Rate / trends

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Protein Precursors
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain