NT-proBNP less than 1000 pg/mL predicts better CV outcomes Irrespective of Obesity Status

In this post-hoc analysis, researchers assessed the risk of adverse cardiovascular events (HF hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality) using multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazard models based on having NT‐proBNP ≤1000 pg/mL, stratified by obesity status. They also assessed the study outcomes based on the body mass index at baseline. The predictive ability of NT‐proBNP for adverse cardiovascular events was assessed using the likelihood ratio test.

Key findings of the study were:

• Upon analysis, the researchers found that NT‐proBNP levels were 59.0% lower among obese individuals.
• They also found a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular events in obese (hazard ratio [HR], 0.48) and nonobese (HR, 0.32) patients with HF who had NT‐proBNP levels ≤1000 pg/mL, compared with those who did not.
• They noted no interaction between obesity and having NT‐proBNP ≤1000 pg/mL on the study outcome.
• They also noted that obese patients are at higher risk of developing adverse cardiovascular events (HR, 1.39) compared with nonobese patients.
• They reported NT‐proBNP as the strongest predictor of adverse cardiovascular event risk in both obese and nonobese patients.

The authors concluded, "On‐treatment NT‐proBNP level ≤1000 pg/mL has favourable prognostic implications, irrespective of obesity status. NT‐proBNP levels were the strongest predictor of cardiovascular events in both obese and nonobese individuals in this trial."

For further information:

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.018689