Validation of circulating BNP level >1000 pg/ml in all-cause mortality: A retrospective study

Abstract

Aim To determine the primary diseases and prognoses of patients with highly elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; >1000 pg/ml), with or without heart failure. Methods Medical records and echocardiograms of patients with BNP levels that fell within one of three predetermined categories (>1000 pg/ml, 200–1000 pg/ml and <200 pg/ml) were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were no significant between-group differences in duration of hospitalization. Patients with BNP levels >1000 pg/ml ( n = 103) or 200–1000 pg/ml ( n = 100) had significantly worse 3-year survival than those with BNP levels <200 pg/ml ( n = 100). The majority of patients (64/103) in the BNP >1000 pg/ml group had heart failure. The main cause of death in patients with other causes of BNP levels >1000 pg/ml (39/103) was community acquired pneumonia. Conclusion A BNP level >1000 pg/ml has clinical importance in primary care medicine and hospital settings.