Plasma Levels of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Unstable Angina Pectoris or Acute Myocardial Infarction: Prognostic Significance and Therapeutic Implications

The Role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Prognostic Marker for Sepsis

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a neurohormone released in response to volume expansion and increased pressure. It is commonly used to assist in the diagnosis and management of heart failure. BNP can also play an important role as a biomarker in septic shock; however, elevations of BNP in conditions other than sepsis or cardiac dysfunction limits its use as the sole prognostic marker in patients hospitalized with sepsis. Further relationships regarding laboratory value and correlation with severity of illness need to be established with larger prospective studies to develop consensus regarding a cut-off point for optimum sensitivity and specificity in predicting in-hospital mortality related to sepsis.

[Prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide in unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has recently emerged as a prognostic marker in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This role is based on results from randomized trials and other high selected population studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of BNP in unselected patients with non-ST-elevated-ACS.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

BNP plasma concentrations were measured in 100 consecutive patients admitted in 2007 with non-ST-elevated-ACS, taking as cut-off value 80pg/ml (high BNP levels on 48% of patients).

RESULTS

After one year-of follow-up, 21 major adverse cardiovascular events occurred: 12 ACS, 7 hospitalizations for heart failure and 2 sudden cardiac deaths. No relationship was found between BNP levels and events on follow-up. BNP >80pg/ml was the only independent predictor of heart failure and death. No relationship was found between high levels of BNP and coronary events during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP was an independent predictor of heart failure and mortality in unselected patients with non-ST-elevated-ACS.

Biomarkers in heart failure management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Recent literature on the role of biomarkers in heart failure is reviewed, focusing on B-type natriuretic peptide.

RECENT FINDINGS

Knowledge of the processes which increase ventricular stress, thus increasing B-type natriuretic peptide, is key to appropriate utilization and interpretation of B-type natriuretic peptide levels. B-type natriuretic peptide is a useful adjunct to confirm or rule out heart failure. B-type natriuretic peptide is a robust prognostic indicator in all stages of heart failure, with prognostic significance in patients undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgery, and in those with acute coronary syndromes. Serial B-type natriuretic peptide testing predicts outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure. The role of B-type natriuretic peptide in screening high-risk populations is promising, but its use in unselected populations is unclear. There is increasing evidence that the use of B-type natriuretic peptide to guide heart failure management is associated with improved clinical outcomes and reduced health costs.

SUMMARY

Biomarkers play an important role in heart failure, but there remain unanswered questions regarding optimization of their use. They should be used as an adjunct to, not replacement for, clinical assessment. Currently available B-type natriuretic peptide assays have limitations relating to clinical variability and assay specificity. Other neurohormonal, inflammatory and metabolic markers may add complementary information to that provided by currently available B-type natriuretic peptide assays.