B-Type Natriuretic Peptides and Ejection Fraction for Prognosis After Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background— A recent landmark report has demonstrated that plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measured in acute coronary syndromes independently predicts mortality, heart failure, and new myocardial infarction. After acute cardiac injury, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is also of prognostic significance and plays a major role in determining the therapeutic response. Methods and Results— The present report is the first from a substantial (n=666) cohort of patients with acute myocardial infarction to test the prognostic utility of concurrent measurements of BNP, amino-terminal BNP (N-BNP), norepinephrine, and radionuclide LVEF. The B-type peptides and LVEF were predictors of death, heart failure, and new myocardial infarction (all P Conclusions— Plasma N-BNP (or BNP) and LVEF are complementary independent predictors of major adverse events on follow-up after myocardial infarction. Combined measurement provides risk stratification substantially better than that provided by either alone.