PROGNOSTICATING IN-HOSPITAL OUTCOMES OF ACUTE HEART FAILURE PATIENTS USING N TERMINAL PRO B-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE LEVELS

Abstract

Background: NT-proBNP is commonly used to assess heart failure severity, but its role in predicting short-term hospital outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure is still evolving. This study examined the relationship between admission NT-proBNP levels and early in-hospital outcomes.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over six months. Adults aged 18–85 years admitted with acute decompensated heart failure were enrolled consecutively. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic data were collected. Admission NT-proBNP levels were analyzed in relation to 30-day readmission, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Results: The study included 190 patients with a mean age of 71.1 ± 11.5 years; most were female. Hypertension and diabetes were highly prevalent. Higher NT-proBNP levels were associated with progressively higher rates of 30-day readmission and in-hospital mortality. Readmissions increased from 24% in patients with NT-proBNP <1500 pg/mL to nearly 50% in those with levels above 10,000 pg/mL. Mortality followed a similar upward pattern. While these associations did not reach statistical significance, the trends were consistent across NT-proBNP categories.

Conclusion: Admission NT-proBNP levels showed a clear relationship with short-term outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure. NT-proBNP may provide useful insight into disease severity at presentation and help identify patients at higher risk for early adverse outcomes.