N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and early outcome after cardiac surgery: a prospective cohort study

Background N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular outcome in many circumstances. There are, however, limited data regarding the utility of NT-proBNP or BNP levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The current study assesses the ability of NT-proBNP to predict early outcome in this setting. Methods One thousand and ten patients undergoing non-emergent cardiac surgery were recruited prospectively. Baseline clinical details were obtained and the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and Parsonnet score were calculated. Preoperative NT-proBNP levels were measured using the Roche Elecsys assay. The primary endpoint was 30 day mortality. Results Median NT-proBNP levels were 624 ng litre−1 among patients who died within 30 days of surgery (n=29), compared with 279 ng litre−1 in survivors [odds ratio (OR) 1.03 per 250 ng litre−1, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.05, P=0.001). NT-proBNP levels remained predictors of 30 day mortality in models including either the additive EuroSCORE (OR 1.03 per 250 ng litre−1, P=0.01), the logistic EuroSCORE (OR 1.03 per 250 ng litre−1, P=0.004), or the Parsonnet score (OR 1.02 per 250 ng litre−1, P=0.04). Levels of NT-proBNP were also predictors of prolonged (>1 day) stay in the intensive care unit (OR 1.03 per 250 ng litre−1, P1 week (OR 1.07 per 250 ng litre−1, P