A Comparison of Prognostic Value of the Levels of ProBNP and Troponin T in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

INTRODUCTION: The propeptide of brain natriuretic peptide (ProBNP) is used for the diagnosis of left ventricle dysfunction and heart failure. In patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) it can contribute to both short and long term prognosis of cardiovascular events that could be very important for management and therapy of these patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of ProBNP for the clinical course after an acute coronary syndrome, compared with that of cardiac troponine T (cTnT) and the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndrome, both during hospitalization and six months later. METHODS: We studied 390 patients (256 men, 134 women, mean age 66.04+12.38) with an acute coronary syndrome who were hospitalized in the Coronary Unit of our cardiology clinic. We studied epidemiological and clinical data and biochemical markers were examined as prognostic factors for clinical course intrahospital and during six months follow-up. RESULTS: In the majority of patients, a myocardial infarction without ST elevation was diagnosed (NSTEMI) (193 patients 49.49%) while 167 patients (42.82%) had a myocardial infarction with ST elevation (STEMI) and the remaining 30 patients (7.69%) had unstable angina. Patients had multiple risk factors for coronary heart disease. The levels of ProBNP were significantly elevated in patients with STEMI (p=0.003) and NSTEMI (p=0.002) who died or experienced an adverse event (angina, myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias) during hospitalization. After six months of follow-up, patients who had an adverse event had higher levels of ProBNP. There was no difference in troponine T levels in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI who had adverse events compared with the others, either during hospitalization or after six months. CONCLUSION: The level of ProBNP is an important predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome. This study showed that it provides better predictive power than the troponine T.