Serum albumin is a useful prognostic indicator and adds important information to NT-proBNP in a Chinese cohort of heart failure

Objective: To evaluate the effect of serum albumin on prognosis and the power of albumin adding information to NT-proBNP in a Chinese cohort of heart failure. Design and methods: 385 consecutive patients (male vs. female: 292 vs. 93; mean age: 54.89 +/- 14.41 years; NYHA classes II-V) admitted for heart failure exacerbation with LVEF <= 45% were enrolled, and biochemical data was measured at baseline. The endpoint was defined as cardiac death or rehospitalization for aggravated heart failure. Follow-up period was 25 +/- 7 months. Results: Multivariate analysis in a Cox proportional hazard model revealed serum albumin was an independent predictor for adverse prognosis (HR 0.96,CI 0.94-0.99, P = 0.02), and the patients with higher NT-proBNP and lower albumin than median had the highest risk for cardiac events (HR 2.89, CI 1.90-4.40, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Serum albumin is a significant prognosis indicator for heart failure and it adds important information to NT-proBNP. (C) 2012 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.