Predictive value of NT-proBNP for 30-day mortality in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes: a comparison with the GRACE and TIMI risk scores

Dirk AAM Schellings,1,2 Ahmet Adiyaman,1 Jan-Henk E Dambrink,1 AT Marcel Gosselink,1 Elvin Kedhi,1 Vincent Roolvink,1 Jan Paul Ottervanger,1 Arnoud WJ van’t Hof,1 1Department of Cardiology, Isala Heart Centre, Zwolle, 2Department of Cardiology, Slingeland Hospital, Doetinchem, the Netherlands Background: The biomarker N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts outcome in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Whether NT-proBNP has incremental prognostic value beyond established risk strategies is still questionable.Purpose: To evaluate the predictive value of NT-proBNP for 30-day mortality over and beyond the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores in patients with NSTE-ACS.Methods: Patients included in our ACS registry were candidates. NT-proBNP levels on admission were measured and the GRACE and TIMI risk scores were assessed. We compared the predictive value of NT-proBNP to both risk scores and evaluated whether NT-proBNP improves prognostication by using receiver operator curves and measures of discrimination improvement.Results: A total of 1324 patients were included and 50 patients died during follow-up. On logistic regression analysis NT-proBNP and the GRACE risk score (but not the TIMI risk score) both independently predicted mortality at 30 days. The predictive value of NT-proBNP did not differ significantly compared to the GRACE risk score (area under the curve [AUC]) 0.85 vs 0.87p=0.67) but was considerably higher in comparison to the TIMI risk score (AUC 0.60p