N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and short-term mortality after ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are frequently elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study investigated whether the baseline NT-proBNP level on admission can predict short-term mortality after ischemic stroke. Methods: One hundred patients with acute ischemic stroke underwent thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation, including serum NT-proBNP measurement. Results: A total of 7% of patients died within 1 week after stroke onset. The NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher among the patients who died compared to NT-proBNP levels in the survivors (P = .002). The optimal NT-proBNP cut-off point for predicting mortality was 1330 pg/mL. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that NT-proBNP concentration was an independent predictor of short-term post-stroke mortality (P = .03). Conclusion: Increased NT-proBNP level was significantly and independently correlated with short-term mortality in patients after ischemic stroke.