The impact of NT-proBNP on admission for early risk stratification of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Background: Incompleted ST segment resolution (STR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated
with worse clinical outcomes.

Aim: To investigate the association between plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels on admission
and STR after reperfusion, in a patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI.

Methods: After exclusion, 81 consecutive patients with STEMI (mean age: 61.3 ± 13.4 years) undergoing primary PCI were
prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to ST-segment resolution: ΣSTR < 50%,
the no-reflow phenomenon positive (+) group (n = 20), and ΣSTR ≥ 50%, the no-reflow phenomenon negative (–) group
(n = 61). Patients were followed up for six months.

Results: The no-reflow phenomenon (+) group had similar baseline cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. age, sex, hypertension,
diabetes mellitus) but higher mid-term mortality (25% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.02) than the no-reflow phenomenon (–) group. The
frequency of anterior MI in the no-reflow phenomenon (+) group was higher (75%, p = 0.02). NT-proBNP levels on admission
were higher in the no-reflow phenomenon (+) group (p = 0.001). A NT-proBNP level ≥ 563.4 pg/mL measured on admission
had a 72.7% sensitivity and 72.9% specificity in predicting no-reflow phenomenon at ROC curve analysis. At multivariate
analysis, anterior MI, high NT-proBNP levels, prolonged chest pain-to-reperfusion time (> 6 h) and post-TIMI-3 flow were
independent predictors of no-reflow phenomenon after primary PCI.

Conclusions: Plasma NT-proBNP level on admission is a strong and independent predictor of no-reflow phenomenon following
primary PCI and mid-term cardiovascular mortality in patients with STEMI.