Prognostic value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other frequently used biomarkers, such as creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-mB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for systolic and diastolic left ventricular function (SLVF and DLVF), and adverse coronary events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The research was carried out within a group of 75 patients. Patients with referent NT-proBNP levels (<14.75 pmol/l) had significantly less compromised SLVF as compared to patients with elevated NT-proBNP levels. Initially determined levels of NT-proBNP showed statistically significant correlations with all parameters of left ventricular function measured on the control examination, while other biomarkers, except creatine kinase, did not. High sensitivity and negative predictive value of NT-proBNP for SLVF (up to 95.1 and 88.9%, respectively) and adverse coronary events (up to 100.0%) was found. These results make us assume that NT-proBNP may be the single best predictor of left ventricular function in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.