Propeptide big-endothelin, N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide and mortality. The Ludwigshafen risk and cardiovascular health (LURIC) study

Abstract

Context: The endothelin system (Big-ET-1) is a key regulator in cardiovascular (CV) disease and congestive heart failure (CHF).

Objectives: We have examined the incremental value of Big-ET-1 in predicting total and CV mortality next to the well-established CV risk marker N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP).

Methods: Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP were determined in 2829 participants referred for coronary angiography (follow-up 9.9 years).

Results: Big-ET-1 is an independent predictor of total, CV mortality and death due to CHF.

Discussion: The conjunct use of Big-ET-1 and NT-proBNP improves the risk stratification of patients with intermediate to high risk of CV death and CHF.

Conclusions: Big-ET-1improves risk stratification in patients referred for coronary angiography.

Keywords:

• N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide
• big endothelin-1
• congestive heart failure
• cardiovascular mortality
• biomarker

Acknowledgements

We extend our appreciation to the participants of the LURIC study. We thank the LURIC study team which was either temporarily or permanently involved in patient recruitment, sample and data handling. We would also like to thank the laboratory staff at the Ludwigshafen General Hospital, Universities of Freiburg, Ulm (Germany) and Graz (Austria).

Disclosure statement

LURIC has received funding from the 7th Framework Program (integrated project Atheroremo, Grant Agreement number 201668), RiskyCAD (grant agreement number 305739) of the European Union, INTERREG IV Oberrhein Program (Project A28, Genetic mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases) with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Wissenschaftsoffensive TMO, and from the German ministry for education and research, project e:AtheroSysMed (Systems medicine of coronary heart disease and stroke), grant number 01ZX1313A-K.

Dr März reports have been employed with Synlab Holding Deutschland GmbH, during the conduct of the study; received grants and personal fees from Siemens Diagnostics, grants and personal fees from Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, grants and personal fees from AMGEN, grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca, grants and personal fees from Danone Research, grants and personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Hoffmann LA Roche, personal fees from MSD, grants and personal fees from Pfizer, personal fees from Sanofi, personal fees from Synageva, grants and personal fees from BASF, grants from Abbott Diagnostics, all outside the submitted work.