Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) as an Indicator of Left Ventricular Function, Early Outcome and Mechanical Complications after Acute Myocardial Infarction

AIMS: This study investigated the prognostic value of B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and its relation with left ventricular function and post-myocardial infarction complications. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, plasma BNP level was measured for 42 consecutive patients (mean ± SD: 61.6 ± 10.85 years old) with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and 42 healthy, age and gender matched subjects. RESULT: BNP level in AMI patients were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.001). Regarding to infarct location, the highest BNP level measured in inferoposterior MI (BNP = 4436.63 ± 6188.159 pg/ml) and the lowest one indicated in standalone inferior MI (BNP = 598.83 ± 309.867 pg/ml (P = 0.071). There was significant reverse relation between BNP and EF (P = 0.006, OR = -0.47) and a significant relationship between BNP and killip classification (P = 0.036). There was no significant relation between diastolic and right-ventricular function and BNP level (P = 0.61, P = 0.21). The highest BNP level was detected in LV septal rupture and false aneurysm (P = 0.02) and in ventricular tachycardia, but without significant relationship (P = 0.25). CONCLUSION: After the onset of AMI, BNP blood level can be used as an important predictor for left ventricular dysfunction, killip classification, early mechanical complications and cardiac death.