Incremental prognostic value of C-reactive protein and N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide in acute coronary syndrome

Background Cardiac biomarkers, including high- sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin-I (Tn-I), have been associated with an adverse outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Thus, in the present study the incremental prognostic value of these cardiac biomarkers was evaluated for risk stratification of ACS. Methods and Results The baseline levels of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and Tn-I were measured in 215 patients (140 males; 65 46 years) with ACS: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): 56; non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): 98; unstable angina (UA): 61. The patients were retrospectively followed up for a mean of 246 days. There were 24 cardiac events: STEMI: 1, NSTEMI: 6, UA: 6, chronic heart failure: 1, death: 10. The baseline levels of hs-CRP and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in the patients with cardiac events than in those without events. After adjustment for major clinical prognostic factors, hs-CRP and NT-proBNP remained significantly independent predictors for cardiac events. Patients with hs-CRP level > 3.5 mg/L and NT-proBNP level > 500pg/ml had an 11-fold higher risk for cardiac events than those with hs-CRP level <= 0.5 mg/L and NT-proBNP level <= 500 pg/ml. Conclusion The combination of both cardiac markers has an incremental value in the risk stratification of patients with ACS.