N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide—how far can we extrapolate?

We read the article by Velibey et al with interest. Their result is consistent with various other studies done in the past, but long-term (4 years) survival prediction on hospital admission with a single plasma N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level is a new and important finding. The mean value of NT-proBNP is significantly correlated with ejection fraction and the functional class (New York Heart Association Class) of heart failure . The author had neither commented on the functional status of the patients nor on the etiology of acute shortness of breath at the time of admission. Testing the levels of natriuretic peptide particularly brain natriuretic peptide and NT-proBNP offers a strong diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic tool in heart failure. Quantitative estimation of NT-proBNP at the time of discharge appears to be a better predictor of the state of ventricles. It also shows whether optivolemic status has been reached with therapy or not. N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level of less than 4000 pg/mL suggests adequate therapy of heart failure and predicts a stable posthospital discharge, whereas NT-proBNP level of more than 7000 pg/mL on discharge has an increased risk of cardiovascular illness . Estimated NT-proBNP at the time of admission and discharge not only predicts the prognosis of the patient in a better way but also suggests effectiveness of in-hospital therapy of heart failure . Therefore, this study does ...
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research