Factors Associated With Elevated N-Terminal Pro B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations at the Convalescent Stage and 1-Year Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Little is known about factors associated with elevated N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at the convalescent stage and their effects on 1-year outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and Results: This study included 469 patients with HFpEF. Elevated NT-proBNP was defined as the highest quartile. The first 3 quartiles (Q1–Q3) were combined together for comparison with the fourth quartile (Q4). Median NT-proBNP concentrations in Q1–Q3 and Q4 were 669 and 3,504 pg/mL, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that low albumin (odds ratio [OR] 2.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–4.39; P=0.003), low estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR 5.83; 95% CI 3.46–9.83; P<0.001), high C-reactive protein (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.21–3.63; P=0.009), and atrial fibrillation at discharge (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.40–3.89; P=0.001) were associated with elevated NT-proBNP. Cumulative rates of all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization were significantly higher in Q4 than in Q1–Q3 (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Incidence and hazard ratios of these adverse events increased when the number of associated factors for elevated NT-proBNP clustered together (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions: In addition to atrial fibrillation, extracardiac factors (malnutrition, renal impairment and inflammation) were associated with elevated NT-proBNP at the convalescent stage, and led to poor prognosis in patients with HFpEF.