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J Am Coll Cardiol, 2001; 37:1781-1787
© 2001 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
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CLINICAL STUDY: HEART FAILURE

Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin

Prognostic utility and prediction of benefit from carvedilol in chronic ischemic left ventricular dysfunction

A. Mark Richards, MD, PhDa, Robert Doughty, MD{dagger}, M. Gary Nicholls, MDa{dagger} {ddagger} §, Stephen MacMahon, PhD§, Norman Sharpe, MD{dagger}, Judy Murphy, RN{ddagger}, Eric A. Espiner, MDa, Christopher Frampton, PhDa, Timothy G. Yandle, PhDa for the Australia-New Zealand Heart Failure Group

a Department of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
{dagger} Department of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
{ddagger} Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
§ Institute for International Health, Sydney, Australia

Manuscript received October 10, 2000; revised manuscript received February 15, 2001, accepted February 26, 2001.

Reprint requests and correspondence: Prof. A. Mark Richards, Department of Medicine, Christchurch Hospital, Riccarton Avenue, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch 8001, New Zealand.
barbara.griffin{at}chmeds.ac.nz


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 
OBJECTIVES

We sought to assess plasma concentrations of the amino (N)-terminal portion of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) and adrenomedullin for prediction of adverse outcomes and responses to treatment in 297 patients with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction who were randomly assigned to receive carvedilol or placebo.

BACKGROUND

Although neurohormonal status has known prognostic significance in heart failure, the predictive power of either N-BNP or adrenomedullin in chronic ischemic LV dysfunction has not been previously reported.

METHODS

Plasma N-BNP and adrenomedullin were measured in 297 patients with chronic ischemic (LV) dysfunction before randomization to carvedilol or placebo, added to established treatment with a converting enzyme inhibitor and loop diuretic (with or without digoxin). The patients’ clinical outcomes, including mortality and heart failure events, were recorded for 18 months.

RESULTS

Above-median N-BNP and adrenomedullin levels conferred increased risks (all p < 0.001) of mortality (risk ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 4.67 [2–10.9] and 3.92 [1.76–8.7], respectively) and hospital admission with heart failure (4.7 [2.2–10.3] and 2.4 [1.3–4.5], respectively). Both of these predicted death or heart failure independent of age, New York Heart Association functional class, LV ejection fraction, previous myocardial infarction or previous admission with heart failure. Carvedilol reduced the risk of death or heart failure in patients with above-median levels of N-BNP or adrenomedullin, or both, to rates not significantly different from those observed in patients with levels below the median value.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with established ischemic LV dysfunction, plasma N-BNP and adrenomedullin are independent predictors of mortality and heart failure. Carvedilol reduced mortality and heart failure in patients with higher pre-treatment plasma N-BNP and adrenomedullin.

Abbreviations and Acronyms
  ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme
  ANP = atrial natriuretic peptide
  BNP = brain natriuretic peptide
  CHF = congestive heart failure
  CI = confidence interval
  LV = left ventricular
  LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction
  MI = myocardial infarction
  N-BNP = amino (N)-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide
  NYHA = New York Heart Association
  RR = risk ratio


Neurohormonal responses to cardiac impairment participate in the pathogenesis of heart failure (1–4). Plasma levels of neurohormonal factors offer an indication of cardiovascular prognosis (1,4–6) and can assist in the prediction of benefit from treatment. The cardiac peptide called brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has received close attention as a cardiovascular marker (5,7–9). We have recently reported that the 76-amino acid residue amino (N)-terminal portion of pro-BNP (N-BNP) circulates in human plasma (10) and that levels are elevated in cardiac impairment (10,11). In normal subjects, mean plasma concentrations are similar to those of BNP (~10 pmol/liter), whereas in cardiac impairment, proportional and absolute increments above normal levels of N-BNP exceed those for BNP, suggesting that it may be the more discerning marker. We have demonstrated N-BNP to be an independent prognostic marker of mortality or decompensated heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) (12).

Adrenomedullin is a 52-amino acid peptide originally isolated from pheochromocytoma cells (13). It has been detected in a range of tissues, including the heart, vasculature, kidney, adrenal medulla, lung, and brain (14). In experimental heart failure, adrenomedullin expression is increased and peptide levels rise, and administered peptide has powerful vasodilator effects, increases cardiac output and is natriuretic (15,16). Plasma concentrations are in the low picomolar range in healthy individuals, but they increase in those with hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHF) in proportion to the severity of the disease (17). In heart failure, plasma adrenomedullin is inversely related to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and is positively associated with left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure (18,19). At least two reports have indicated that plasma adrenomedullin levels act as an indicator of prognosis after acute MI (12,20).

There are no published data relating plasma concentrations of either N-BNP or adrenomedullin to cardiovascular prognosis in patients with established ischemic LV dysfunction. We hypothesized that plasma levels of either or both peptides would have independent prognostic utility in such patients and also assist in predicting any benefit from treatment with carvedilol. We report the results from 297 patients with ischemic LV impairment who were randomly assigned to treatment with carvedilol or placebo for CHF.


    Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 
The organization of the study and the effects of carvedilol on LV function, exercise tolerance, symptoms and morbidity and mortality rates have been reported (21,22). Twenty centers in Australia and New Zealand participated (see Appendix). The study was coordinated by the Clinical Trials Research Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand. Neurohormonal assays and related analyses were conducted by the Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group, Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at each participating center. All patients provided written, informed consent.

Patients (n = 415) were recruited with chronic, stable heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease, LVEF <45% (measured by radionuclide ventriculography), and current New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III or previous functional class II–IV. Exclusion criteria included current functional class IV, heart rate <50 beats/min, sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree heart block, blood pressure <90 mm Hg systolic or >160/100 mm Hg diastolic, treadmill exercise duration <2 or >18 min (modified Naughton protocol), coronary event or procedure within four weeks, primary myocardial or valve disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, chronic airways disease, hepatic disease (serum transaminase >3 times normal), renal impairment (creatinine >250 µmol/liter) and life-threatening noncardiac disease or current treatment with a beta-blocker, beta-agonist or verapamil.

Patients tolerating 6.25 mg of carvedilol twice daily were randomly assigned, in a double-blinded manner, to receive continued carvedilol (titrated to a maximal dose of 25 mg twice daily) or matching placebo for a trial period of 18 months.

The study outcomes included all-cause mortality, death from worsening heart failure, episodes of worsening heart failure (defined as deterioration requiring an increase in nonstudy antiheart failure treatments, an increase in NYHA functional class, hospital admission for worsening symptoms of heart failure or nonsudden death from progressive heart failure), hospital admission for worsening heart failure and hospital admission for acute coronary syndromes.

Neurohormonal sampling was conducted before randomization. Venous blood (EDTA) was collected (9 AM–12 PM) after intravenous cannulation of the patient, who had been seated for 30 min. The sample was separated within 20 min, and the plasma was stored at –80°C before transport, on dry ice, to the laboratory for assay. Assays for N-BNP and adrenomedullin were conducted according to our published methods (11,23). Inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients of variation fell within the range of 5% to 9%.

Statistics.   Event rates were compared by chi-square tests, with risk ratios (RRs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]), and Kaplan-Meier curves calculated for groups with hospital admission levels above and below the group median of individual neurohormonal factors and LVEF. Analyses were conducted separately for groups randomized to receive carvedilol and placebo, as well as for the total patient group. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to study the two peptides and other potential indicators (e.g., treatment, NYHA functional class, LVEF, age, previous MI, previous hospital admission for heart failure), as well as the interaction of N-BNP with treatment (i.e., placebo or carvedilol), or adrenomedullin with treatment, or both, for independent prediction of clinical outcomes. The value p < 0.05 (two-tailed) indicated statistical significance.


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 
Seventy percent of the patients were in NYHA functional class II or III and 30% were in class I at randomization (43% had previously been in class IV at some time). Eighty-eight percent had a previous MI, and 43% had a previous hospital admission for heart failure. Eight-five percent were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor; 75% took diuretics; and 38% took digoxin. The average LVEF at entry was 29%.

The effects of treatment on morbidity and mortality and the surrogate end points have been reported (21,22). Carvedilol improved LVEF without deterioration in symptoms or exercise capacity. The combined end point of death or hospital admission for any reason was reduced by 26% (104 patients receiving carvedilol vs. 131 patients receiving placebo; 95% CI –43% to –5%; 2p = 0.02). We have also previously reported important interactions between pre-randomization plasma levels of other hormones and the response to carvedilol (24). Carvedilol reduced mortality rates and heart failure in those with higher pre-treatment BNP levels, but lesser activation of plasma norepinephrine.

After our initial neurohormonal substudy (24), sufficient plasma (EDTA) stored appropriately (–80°C) remained available for measurements of N-BNP and adrenomedullin in 297 (72%) of the original 415 study participants. A comparison of these 297 subjects with the remaining 118 subjects revealed no statistically significant differences in any demographic, LV imaging, functional or neurohormonal indicator or in the frequency of any clinical outcome. Hence, findings within this majority subgroup (72%) are representative of the study group as a whole.

Neurohormonal markers of morbidity and mortality.   Table 1 indicates event rates for the designated study outcomes according to median levels of N-BNP, adrenomedullin and LVEF. Pre-randomization plasma levels of either peptide that fell above the median value for the group were more powerfully predictive than LVEF and indicated a significantly increased risk (irrespective of whether carvedilol or placebo was subsequently administered) for all-cause mortality, death due to CHF, hospital admission due to heart failure and worsening heart failure, but not for hospital admission due to a new acute coronary syndrome. Kaplan-Meier analyses corroborated these findings, with examples given in Figures 1 and 2illustrating significant separation of event -free survival curves for all-cause mortality (Fig. 1) and hospital admission due to worsening heart failure (Fig. 2).


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Table 1 Event Rates According to Median Levels of Prognostic Markers

 


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Figure 1 All-cause mortality (death) survival curves for patients with pre-randomization plasma adrenomedullin (ADM, left) and N-BNP (right) above (group A, solid line) and below (group B, dashed line) the group median value. {dagger}p < 0.001.

 


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Figure 2 Event-free survival for hospital admission with CHF in patients with pre-randomization plasma adrenomedullin (ADM, left) and N-BNP (right) above (group A, solid line) and below (group B, dashed line) the group median value. **p < 0.01. {dagger}p < 0.001.

 
Multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards) indicated that, of the eight putative predictors, both N-BNP and adrenomedullin were significant predictors of all outcomes (with the exception of hospital admission with an acute coronary syndrome), independent of treatment, NYHA functional class, LVEF, previous MI, previous hospital admission with heart failure or age. Furthermore, for the prospectively defined end points of all-cause mortality (n = 35), death from CHF (n = 24), admission with heart failure (n = 41) and worsening heart failure (n = 108), there were statistically significant, independently predictive interactions of treatment with N-terminal BNP (p = 0.016, 0.003, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) and treatment with plasma adrenomedullin (p = 0.004, 0.019, 0.049 and 0.024, respectively).

A key interaction is illustrated in Figure 3, where event-free survival curves for hospital admission with cardiac failure are shown for patients with pre-randomization N-BNP and adrenomedullin levels above and below the median value, subclassified according to allocation to the placebo or carvedilol group. In patients with supramedian levels of either peptide who were randomly assigned to placebo, the rate of admission with heart failure was high relative to patients with submedian levels (adjusted RRs [95% CIs]: 8.32 [2.3–29.8], p < 0.001 and 2.81 [1.1–7.1], p < 0.05 for N-BNP and adrenomedullin, respectively). In contrast, in such patients receiving carvedilol (after an initial period of ~300 days during which events tended to be increased), the cumulative risk of this end point was halved (Fig. 3) and did not differ significantly from that of patients with inframedian peptide levels (adjusted RRs [95% CIs]: 2.72 [0.8–9.1], p = 0.106 and 1.48 [0.5–4.2], p = 0.471). All-cause mortality, death secondary to CHF and worsening heart failure were similarly significantly ameliorated by carvedilol in the supramedian hormone subgroups.



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Figure 3 Event-free survival for hospital admission with heart failure in patients with below-median adrenomedullin (ADM, left) or N-BNP (right) levels receiving placebo (Bp, solid thin line) or carvedilol (Bc, dotted line) and in those with above-median peptide levels receiving placebo (Ap, solid thick line) or carvedilol (Ac, dashed line). {dagger}p < 0.001. ns = not significant.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 
The current study is the first to demonstrate, to the best of our knowledge, the ability of plasma concentrations of N-BNP and adrenomedullin to independently predict all-cause mortality and heart failure in patients with established ischemic LV dysfunction. Both peptides had greater predictive power for mortality and heart failure, compared with LVEF, whether considered in univariate (Table 1) or multivariate analyses. Furthermore, this is the first report of the ability of these peptides to predict benefit from treatment with carvedilol.

Carvedilol and N-BNP in heart failure.   Recent trials of carvedilol and other beta-blockers in heart failure indicate that these are an important advance in therapy for a common lethal condition (21,22,25–27). However, appropriate patient selection and prediction of benefit remain uncertain. The current report extends our previous demonstration of prediction of benefit from carvedilol in those patients with higher pre-treatment plasma BNP levels, but lesser activation of norepinephrine (24). Plasma BNP and N-BNP are very closely (r ≥ 0.90) correlated (12), and the current report indicates that N-BNP is a comparable or better prognostic marker than BNP, which was superior to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma catecholamines and arginine vasopressin in the Australia-New Zealand Heart Failure Study cohort (24). N-terminal BNP circulates at higher levels than its C-terminal congener, has a longer half-life and is less likely to be perturbed by acute stimuli. Plasma levels of N-BNP rise more steeply for a given degree of cardiac impairment, compared with BNP. For these reasons, N-BNP may be somewhat more reliable than BNP-32 as a prognostic marker. Plasma N-BNP and its C-terminal congener are derived from LV secretion in response to ventricular wall stress. It is therefore not surprising that these levels are more closely related to concurrent LV function and prognosis, compared with other circulating neurohormonal markers.

The mechanism underlying the predictive power of N-BNP for a benefit from carvedilol is unknown. Beta-blockers may downregulate natriuretic peptide clearance receptors (28), and it is possible that some of the benefit from carvedilol is derived from enhancing plasma ANP or BNP levels, or both, with promotion of natriuresis, vasodilation and relative suppression of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems. Beta-blocker-induced enhancement of natriuretic peptide levels may be proportional to baseline peptide concentrations. Hence, the relationship between pre-treatment N-BNP and the likelihood of benefit from carvedilol may simply reflect its close correlation with the bioactive species BNP and, to a lesser extent, ANP.

Adrenomedullin in heart failure.   In contrast to the cardiac peptides, plasma adrenomedullin has a multi-tissue origin, being derived not only from the vasculature and heart but also from other organs (14). Hence, the mechanisms underlying its relationship to cardiac function and cardiovascular prognosis are less obvious. However, cardiac expression of adrenomedullin is increased in experimental ischemic heart failure (29), and Tsuruda et al. (30) have demonstrated enhanced adrenomedullin production by mechanical stretching of cultured cardiomyocytes. Hence, it is possible that with progressive cardiac impairment, plasma adrenomedullin is progressively more reflective of cardiac production of the peptide. Alternatively (or in addition), peripheral and cardiac production of adrenomedullin may rise in parallel as heart failure progresses, explaining the relationship of venous plasma concentrations of adrenomedullin with cardiac function and prognosis. Stimuli shown to augment adrenomedullin production from vascular cells in vitro, which may be present at elevated tissue or plasma levels in heart failure, include interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, angiotensin II, endothelin I, adrenaline and aldosterone (31). However, it remains unclear why plasma adrenomedullin levels should be predictive of a benefit from carvedilol.

Notably, a reduction in hospital admissions for heart failure in patients with high peptide levels receiving carvedilol was not apparent until 300 days after randomization. Before this point, the events tended to be more frequent in this subgroup (Fig. 3). The current data do not have sufficient power to formally assess for significant crossover of the survival curves. However, the possibility of early adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockade on heart failure admissions of patients with neurohormonal activation cannot be ruled out. In our previous report in the Australia-New Zealand Heart Failure Neurohormonal Substudy (24), the same finding was apparent for C-terminal BNP with respect to hospital admission with heart failure, but not for all-cause mortality. Hence, if a genuine, slight excess of early heart failure events is triggered by carvedilol in this high-risk neurohormonal group, it is not at the cost of concurrent, early, increased mortality.

Other markers in heart failure.   The current data extend our previous findings (24) relating pre-treatment neurohormonal status with response to carvedilol. Previous reports have related neurohormonal status and response with converting enzyme inhibition. Swedberg et al. (32) reported that the mortality benefit from enalapril in patients with NYHA functional class IV heart failure was enhanced in those with plasma catecholamines, angiotensin II, aldosterone and ANP levels above the group median value. In the Survival And Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial (33), plasma renin activity predicted an increased efficacy of captopril in reducing one-year mortality rates, and enalapril gave greater survival benefit in patients with higher norepinephrine and renin levels in the Vasodilator Heart Failure Trial (V-HeFT II) (4). The relationship of neurohormonal status with treatment effects on rates of worsening heart failure was not addressed in that report. The COoperative North Scandinavian ENalapril SUrvival Study (CONSENSUS), SAVE and V-HeFT II did not provide data on BNP, N-BNP or adrenomedullin. Therefore, available reports indicate that elevated pre-treatment renin, norepinephrine and cardiac peptide levels are positively associated with a benefit from ACE inhibitor therapy in heart failure. The current report indicates that N-BNP and adrenomedullin should be added to ANP and BNP as positive predictors of benefit when a beta-blocker is added.

The conditions of the current study preclude conclusions about whether or not plasma N-BNP or adrenomedullin could predict a benefit from beta-blockers, without a previous introduction of ACE inhibitor treatment, or from other antiheart failure therapies (e.g., endopeptidase inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, endothelin antagonists), and these questions should be addressed in future randomized trials of heart failure therapy. Furthermore, our results cannot be extended to other patient populations. Subgroup analyses entail a loss of statistical power and generate hypotheses rather than conclusive findings. The current report requires confirmation. The relative (or potential complementary) strength of N-BNP and adrenomedullin compared with (or combined with) other circulating markers of cardiac dysfunction (the interleukins, for example), which were not measured in our study, cannot be assessed in this report.

Conclusions.   The current findings indicate that plasma N-BNP and adrenomedullin levels in patients with established ischemic LV dysfunction receiving standard therapy with ACE inhibitors and loop diuretics (with or without digoxin) are independently predictive of mortality and heart failure. Elevated plasma levels of both of these peptides predict a long-term benefit from introduction of carvedilol.


    Appendix
 Top
 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 
Australia-New Zealand Heart Failure Research Collaborative Group.   Participating Investigators
Australia
J. Bradbury, R. Burton, D. Colquhoun, M. Croot, D. Cross, T. Davidson, J. Garrett, C. Hall, A. Hamer, B. Hicks, J. Horowitz, B. Jackson, I. Jeffrey, V. Kinber, H. Krum, G. Lane, S. Leslie, D. Owensby, G. Rudge, J. Ryan, J. Shepherd, B. Singh, J. Stephensen, P. Taverner, P. Thompson, A. Thomson, A. Tonkin, A. Trotter, J. Turner, W. Walsh, S. Woodhouse and Y. Zhang.

New Zealand
C. Bond, G. Brown, J. Bruning, A. Clayton, J. Crawford, R. N. Doughty, C. Hall, H. Ikram, G. Lewis, C. Low, H. McAlister, J. Murphy, L. Nairn, M. Richards, D. Scott and N. Sharpe.


    Acknowledgments
 
Dr. Stephen MacMahon was the recipient of a Senior Research Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand. Dr. Mark Richards holds the New Zealand National Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiovascular Studies. Assistance with statistical analysis and graphics was provided by Justine Miller. Barbara Griffin provided secretarial assistance.


    References
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 Abstract
 Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 Appendix
 References
 

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CirculationHome page
W.H. Wilson Tang, G. S. Francis, D. A. Morrow, L. K. Newby, C. P. Cannon, R. L. Jesse, A. B. Storrow, R. H. Christenson, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, R. H. Christenson, et al.
National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines: Clinical Utilization of Cardiac Biomarker Testing in Heart Failure
Circulation, July 31, 2007; 116(5): e99 - e109.
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Eur Heart JHome page
T. Tsutamoto, T. Tanaka, H. Sakai, C. Ishikawa, M. Fujii, T. Yamamoto, and M. Horie
Total and high molecular weight adiponectin, haemodynamics, and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure
Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2007; 28(14): 1723 - 1730.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Circ. Res.Home page
B. Assmus, U. Fischer-Rasokat, J. Honold, F. H. Seeger, S. Fichtlscherer, T. Tonn, E. Seifried, V. Schachinger, S. Dimmeler, and A. M. Zeiher
Transcoronary Transplantation of Functionally Competent BMCs Is Associated With a Decrease in Natriuretic Peptide Serum Levels and Improved Survival of Patients With Chronic Postinfarction Heart Failure: Results of the TOPCARE-CHD Registry
Circ. Res., April 27, 2007; 100(8): 1234 - 1241.
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J Am Coll CardiolHome page
P. Jourdain, G. Jondeau, F. Funck, P. Gueffet, A. Le Helloco, E. Donal, J. F. Aupetit, M. C. Aumont, M. Galinier, J. C. Eicher, et al.
Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide-Guided Therapy to Improve Outcome in Heart Failure: The STARS-BNP Multicenter Study
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 24, 2007; 49(16): 1733 - 1739.
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QJMHome page
L. Lorgis, M. Zeller, G. Dentan, P. Sicard, M. Jolak, I. L'Huillier, M. Vincent-Martin, J.C. Beer, H. Makki, P. Gambert, et al.
High levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide are associated with ST resolution failure after reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction
QJM, April 1, 2007; 100(4): 211 - 216.
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HeartHome page
H. H H Feringa, O. Schouten, M. Dunkelgrun, J. J Bax, E. Boersma, A. Elhendy, R. de Jonge, S. E Karagiannis, R. Vidakovic, and D. Poldermans
Plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide as long-term prognostic marker after major vascular surgery
Heart, February 1, 2007; 93(2): 226 - 231.
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J Am Coll CardiolHome page
R. R.J. van Kimmenade, J. L. Januzzi Jr, A. L. Baggish, J. G. Lainchbury, A. Bayes-Genis, A. M. Richards, and Y. M. Pinto
Amino-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide, Renal Function, and Outcomes in Acute Heart Failure: Redefining the Cardiorenal Interaction?
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 17, 2006; 48(8): 1621 - 1627.
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CMAJHome page
G. M. Felker, J. W. Petersen, and D. B. Mark
Natriuretic peptides in the diagnosis and management of heart failure.
Can. Med. Assoc. J., September 12, 2006; 175(6): 611 - 617.
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EuropaceHome page
M. Rienstra, I. C. Van Gelder, M. P. Van den Berg, F. Boomsma, and D. J. Van Veldhuisen
Natriuretic peptides in patients with atrial fibrillation and advanced chronic heart failure: determinants and prognostic value of (NT-)ANP and (NT-pro)BNP
Europace, July 1, 2006; 8(7): 482 - 487.
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HeartHome page
M. Weber and C. Hamm
Role of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP in clinical routine.
Heart, June 1, 2006; 92(6): 843 - 849.
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J Am Coll CardiolHome page
R. Schnabel, E. Lubos, H. J. Rupprecht, C. Espinola-Klein, C. Bickel, K. J. Lackner, F. Cambien, L. Tiret, T. Munzel, and S. Blankenberg
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Death in Patients With Stable Angina: Results From the AtheroGene Study
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 7, 2006; 47(3): 552 - 558.
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J Am Coll CardiolHome page
M. Richards, M. G. Nicholls, E. A. Espiner, J. G. Lainchbury, R. W. Troughton, J. Elliott, C. M. Frampton, I. G. Crozier, T. G. Yandle, R. Doughty, et al.
Comparison of B-Type Natriuretic Peptides for Assessment of Cardiac Function and Prognosis in Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 3, 2006; 47(1): 52 - 60.
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EuropaceHome page
P. Flevari, G. Theodorakis, I. Paraskevaidis, F. Kolokathis, A. Kostopoulou, D. Leftheriotis, C. Kroupis, E. Livanis, and D. T. Kremastinos
Coronary and peripheral blood flow changes following biventricular pacing and their relation to heart failure improvement.
Europace, January 1, 2006; 8(1): 44 - 50.
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ChestHome page
K. Ferrier, A. Campbell, B. Yee, M. Richards, T. O'Meeghan, M. Weatherall, and A. Neill
Sleep-Disordered Breathing Occurs Frequently in Stable Outpatients With Congestive Heart Failure
Chest, October 1, 2005; 128(4): 2116 - 2122.
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ChestHome page
C. Carmona-Bernal, E. Quintana-Gallego, M. Villa-Gil, A. Sanchez-Armengol, A. Martinez-Martinez, and F. Capote
Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and Central Sleep Apnea
Chest, May 1, 2005; 127(5): 1667 - 1673.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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BMJHome page
J. A Doust, E. Pietrzak, A. Dobson, and P. Glasziou
How well does B-type natriuretic peptide predict death and cardiac events in patients with heart failure: systematic review
BMJ, March 19, 2005; 330(7492): 625.
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HeartHome page
M R Cowie, C Metcalfe, K F Fox, and G C Sutton
N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide and subsequent hospital admission for worsening heart failure
Heart, March 1, 2005; 91(3): 371 - 372.
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J Am Coll CardiolHome page
B. Lindahl, J. Lindback, T. Jernberg, N. Johnston, M. Stridsberg, P. Venge, and L. Wallentin
Serial analyses of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: A Fragmin and fast Revascularisation during InStability in coronary artery disease (FRISC)-II substudy
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 15, 2005; 45(4): 533 - 541.
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Eur Heart JHome page
R. Schnabel, H. J. Rupprecht, K. J. Lackner, E. Lubos, C. Bickel, J. Meyer, T. Munzel, F. Cambien, L. Tiret, S. Blankenberg, et al.
Analysis of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein for risk stratification in stable and unstable coronary artery disease: results from the AtheroGene study
Eur. Heart J., February 1, 2005; 26(3): 241 - 249.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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BMJHome page
S. K Prasad, R. G Assomull, and D. J Pennell
Recent developments in non-invasive cardiology
BMJ, December 11, 2004; 329(7479): 1386 - 1389.
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CirculationHome page
F. Hartmann, M. Packer, A. J.S. Coats, M. B. Fowler, H. Krum, P. Mohacsi, J. L. Rouleau, M. Tendera, A. Castaigne, S. D. Anker, et al.
Prognostic Impact of Plasma N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Severe Chronic Congestive Heart Failure: A Substudy of the Carvedilol Prospective Randomized Cumulative Survival (COPERNICUS) Trial