N-terminal proBrain natriuretic peptide levels predict short-term poststroke survival

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Acute stroke poses a significant mortality risk.
• Identifying reliable prognostic markers is crucial for patient management.
• Cardiac biomarkers may offer insights into stroke outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prognostic significance of N-terminal proBrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in acute stroke.
• To compare NT-proBNP's predictive value against other cardiovascular variables and stroke severity.
• To assess NT-proBNP's role in predicting 120-day mortality after stroke.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients.
• Measurement of NT-proBNP during the acute phase.
• Cox regression analysis using NT-proBNP, Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), and cardiovascular details to predict mortality.

Main Results:

• Higher NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly associated with increased 120-day mortality (P < .001).
• NT-proBNP emerged as the strongest independent predictor of mortality (OR 2.4), followed by SSS (OR 0.95).
• Higher NT-proBNP and lower SSS scores predicted mortality; a negative correlation existed between NT-proBNP and SSS (r = -0.24, P = .02).

Conclusions:

• NT-proBNP is an independent prognostic marker for mortality in acute stroke patients.
• NT-proBNP provides prognostic information beyond traditional cardiovascular variables and stroke severity.
• NT-proBNP may identify patients who could benefit from interventional therapies.