NT-proBNP Predicts Heart Failure and Strokes
January 10, 2007 by Lei
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Nt-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone Brain-type Natriuretic Peptide) in the blood is an indicator that the heart muscle is undergoing stress. The protein has been used as a biomarker for heart failure in the past, but a recent study has shown that it can also be used to predict cardiovascular disease, such as heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke.
…patients with stable heart disease with the highest level of NT-proBNP in their blood (the upper quartile or 25 per cent) were up to 8 times more likely to die or experience serious heart-related events, such as heart attacks, heart failure and strokes compared to those patients with the lowest level of the biomarker (the lowest 25 per cent).
Patients with high levels of NT-proBNP also have other risk factors such as older age, more advanced cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. These patients are also more likely to be on beta-blockers and statins. The researcher concluded that NT-proBNP could be used to identify at-risk individuals.
NB: Massachusetts General Hospital is currently recruiting patients for a study on the use of NT-proBNP testing to guide heart failure therapy in the outpatient setting.
Medical News Today, January 10, 2007
JAMA, January 10, 2007
Tags: nt-probnp, heart failure, heart, heart disease, diseases, illness, health, cardiovascular disease
