The diagnostic and predictive value of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) testing in patients with acute dyspnea

Objective To study the diagnostic and predictive values of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients presenting acute dyspnea. Method A total of 533 patients with dyspnea were studied. According to the clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings, the patients were divided into two groups, namely acute congestive heart failure group (ACHF) and non-ACHF group. NT-proBNP levels were assayed in all patients in order to evaluate the diagnostic value, and predictive value in patients of ACHF group by following up study to know the clinical destination of patients to be cardiac death or re-admission into hospital. Results There were 272 ACHF patients and 261 non-ACHF patients, and the levels of NT-proBNT were significantly different between two groups ( 2683.4±86.9) pg/mL vs. (238.6+8.7) pg/mL, P＜0.01) . A total of 220 patients were followed for 158 ±32. 8 days. The level of NT-proBNT in myocardium of patients in re-admission group was 2683 + 86. 9 pg/mL and in death group was 3283.4 + 105.7 pg/mL which both were higher than that in patients without cardiac events ( 1123. 5 + 72. 1 pg/mL) ( P ＜0. 01 ) . By using multivariate Cox analysis, log NT-proBNT was ( r = 0. 987, P = 0. 002), and atrial fibrillation (r = 0. 876, P = 0. 005 ) and ventriculat tachycardia ( r=0. 891, P =0. 005) were the valid predictors of cardiac events. Conclusions Routine determination of NT-proBNT in Emergency Department should be useful for quickly sorting patients with acute dyspnea. The NT-proBNT could be used as a good prognostic indicator of ACHF. In addition, log NT-proBNT and atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia were the independent risk factors of cardiac events.\r\n\r\nKey words: \r\nAmino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide;  Dyspnea;  Acute congestive heart failure;  Prognosis;  Cardiac events