[Prognostic value of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma N-Terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in severe sepsis and septic shock.

METHODS: The blood samples were collect in 72 patients with severe sepsis and septic shock staying in intensive care unit (ICU) at consecutive days. The levels of plasma NT-proBNP, lactate at the 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 day, as well as the levels of CK-MBmass, cTnT and procalcitonin at the 1, 3, 7 day were measured. All the patients were subjected to the calculation of APACHE (acute physiology and chronic ealth evaluation) II scores and SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) scores,and the clinical outcome, ICU mortality, hospital mortality, ICU time, hospital time, 28-day mortality were collected. The prognostic value of plasma NT-proBNP was analyzed.

RESULTS: Plasma NT-proBNP levels were markedly increased in the patients in our study. The level of NT-proBNP in nonsurvivors at 28 days was higher than that of survivors, and the peak level was emerged on the second day after admission. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, NT-proBNP level at day 3 after inclusion and APACHE II Score were independent predictors of hospital mortality, and only APACHE II Score is the independent predictor for 28-day mortality.

CONCLUSION: Plasma NT-proBNP level shows obvious increase in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. NT-proBNP on day 3 in ICU is an independent prognostic marker of hospital mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock.