The predictive value and evolution of N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels following transcutaneous aortic valve implantation

Aims: We sought to define the predictive value and evolution of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels following transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods and Results: We investigated 91 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI (59 transfemoral [TF], 32 transapical [TA]) in our institution. The balloon-expandable valve was implanted in 75 and the self-expanding in 16 patients. The baseline (within 48 hours prior to procedure), early (24-74 hours), and late (3-12 months) postprocedural NT-proBNP levels were determined. The mortality status of all patients was ascertained as of September 2010. The 30-day and 1.3(mean)-year mortality was 3% and 12% (2%, 9% in the TF and 6%, 19% in the TA group). Increased baseline (π ²= 5.9, P = 0.016) and early (π ²= 4.9, P = 0.028) NT-proBNP levels were predictive of mortality. All decrements of the NT-proBNP levels in the TF patients were significant (baseline 4,984 ± 8,106 vs. early 3,912 ± 6,551 pg/mL, P = 0.016; late 633 ± 606 pg/mL, P = 0.003). In contrast, there was a trend for the early levels to increase in the TA patients (6,423 ± 8,897 vs. 8,100 ± 10,178 pg/mL, P = 0.090), and a significant decline in the late levels as compared to baseline (1,704 ± 3,417 pg/mL, P = 0.005). Conclusion: NT-proBNP levels are predictive of mortality following TAVI. There is a differential early evolution of their levels between the TF and TA patients and a significant decline later in both groups.