Amino terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, renal function, and prognosis in acute heart failure: a hospital cohort study.

Background: Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a valuable diagnostic and prognostic test in heart failure (HF). Limited information is available concerning its use in patients with renal failure, in whom dependence on renal clearance may negatively affect its performance.

Methods And Results: We evaluated influence of renal function on NT-proBNP levels and on its prognostic value after hospital discharge in 283 acute HF patients.