SST2 and NT-proBNP biomarkers in prediction of COVID-19

Abstract

Background. COVID-19 may cause or worsen cardiac dysfunction and patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, including heart failure (HF), who have an increased risk of severe and fatal outcomes of COVID-19. The study aimed to determine the role of soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 protein (sST2) and natriuretic peptide test (NT-proBNP) in predicting the severe course and in-hospital mortality of patients with COVID-19 and hypertension. Materials and methods. One hundred and fifteen patients with COVID-19 and hypertension were examined. The determination of sST2 and NT-proBNP in blood serum were done using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The clinical endpoint was assessed during the hospitalization period (death, hospitalization in the intensive care unit, prolonged hospitalization). The risk of the final event development was calculated for the patients who reached the threshold sST2 concentrations, and, separately, based on the diagnostic values of the NT-proBNP. Results. The cut-off values of sST2 recommended for the diagnosis of HF in our study were reached in 7 (28 %) cases. The risk of final clinical points development in these patients was as follows: OR = 10.67; 95% CI: 1.31–86.9; p = 0.0270. The level of NT-proBNP, which meets the criteria for the diagnosis of HF, was constant in only 10 (11.1 %) individuals (p = 0.0461) and the risk of clinical events developing was equal to OR = 7.0; 95% CI: 1.72–28.6; p = 0.0067. Conclusions. Stratification of patients based on sST2 values, in addition to NT-proBNP parameters, may provide further prognostic value compared to NT-proBNP levels in patients with COVID-19 and HF.