BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (BNP): BIOMARKER FOR RISK STRATIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY PREDICTION IN ISCHEMIC STROKE

• Main Authors: STANESCU Ioana, DOGARU Gabriela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romanian Association of Balneology, Editura Balneara 2015-02-01
• Series: Balneo Research Journal
• Subjects: brain natriuretic peptide; stroke; functional outcome; mortality prediction
• Online Access: http://bioclima.ro/Balneo84.pdf
• ISSN: 2069-7597; 2069-7619

Functional outcome after cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events is traditionally predicted using demographic and clinical variables like age, gender, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes status, smoking habits or pre-existing morbidity. Identification of new variables will improve the risk stratification of specific categories of patients. Numerous blood-based biomarkers associated with increased cardiovascular risk have been identified; some of them even predict cardiovascular events. Investigators have tried to produce prediction models by incorporating traditional risk factors and biomarkers. (1). Widely-available, rapidly processed and less expensive biomarkers could be used in the future to guide management of complex cerebrovascular patients in order to maximize their recovery (2) Recently, studies have demonstrated that biomarkers can predict not only the risk for a specific clinical event, but also the risk of death of vascular cause and the functional outcome after cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events. Early prediction of fatal outcome after stroke may improve therapeutic strategies (such as the use of more aggressive treatments or inclusion of patients in clinical trials) and guide decision-making processes in order to maximize patient’s chances for survival and recovery. (3) Long term functional outcome after stroke is one of the most difficult variables to predict. Elevated serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are powerful predictor of outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (heart failure, atrial fibrillation). Potential role of BNP in predicting atrial fibrillation occurrence, cardio-embolic stroke and post-stroke mortality have been proved in many studies. However, data concerning the potential role of BNP in predicting short term and long term functional outcomes after stroke remain controversial.