N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide is a more powerful predictor of mortality than endothelin-1, adrenomedullin and turnour necrosis factor-alpha in patients referred for consideration of cardiac transplantation

Gardner, R.S., Chong, V., Morton, L. and McDonagh, T.A. (2005) N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide is a more powerful predictor of mortality than endothelin-1, adrenomedullin and turnour necrosis factor-alpha in patients referred for consideration of cardiac transplantation. European Journal of Heart Failure, 7, pp. 253-260. (doi: 10.1016/j.ejheart.2004.06.002)

Abstract

Background: The selection of patients for cardiac transplantation is notoriously difficult. We have demonstrated that N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a powerful predictor of mortality in advanced heart failure and is superior to the traditional markers of chronic heart failure (CHF) severity. However, the comparative prognostic power of endothelin-1 (Et-1), adrenomedullin (Adm) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in this patient group is unknown. Methods and results: We prospectively studied 150 consecutive patients with advanced CHF referred for consideration of cardiac transplantation. Blood samples for NT-proBNP, Et-1, Adm and TNF-α analysis were taken at recruitment and patients followed up for a median of 666 days. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality was reached in 25 patients and the secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality or urgent cardiac transplantation in 29 patients. The median values for NT-proBNP, Et-1, Adm and TNF-α were 1494 pg/ml [interquartile range 530−3930], 0.39 fmol/ml [0.10−1.24], 94 pg/ml [54−207] and 2.0 pg/ml [0−18.5] respectively. The only univariate and multivariate predictor of all-cause mortality (χ2=26.95, p<0.0001), or the secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality or urgent transplantation (χ2=31.23, p<0.0001), was an NT-proBNP concentration above the median value. Conclusion: A single measurement of NT-proBNP in patients with advanced CHF can help identify patients at the highest risk of death, and is a better prognostic marker than Et-1, Adm and TNF-α.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McDonagh, Dr Theresa
• Authors: Gardner, R.S., Chong, V., Morton, L., and McDonagh, T.A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: European Journal of Heart Failure