Objectives: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts mortality and the development of heart failure in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) is a stable byproduct of production of atrial natriuretic peptide. We sought to compare the prognostic value of MR-proANP and NT-proBNP in HCM.
Methods:We prospectively enrolled a cohort of patients with HCM from different European centers and followed them. All patients had clinical, ECG and echocardiographic evaluation and measurement of MR-proANP and NT-proBNP at inclusion.
Results:Of 357 patients enrolled, the median age was 52 (IQR: 36-65) years. MR-proANP and NT-proBNP were both independently associated with age, weight, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), wall thickness and left atrial dimension. During a median follow-up of 23 months, 32 patients had a primary end point defined as death (n=6), heart transplantation (n=8), left ventricular assist device implantation (n=1) or heart failure hospitalisation (n=17). Both NT-proBNP and MR-proANP (p<10 -4 ) were strongly associated with the primary endpoint, and the areas under the ROC curves for both peptides were not significantly different. However, in a multiple stepwise regression analysis, the best model for predicting outcome was NYHA 1-2 versus 3-4 (HR=0.35, CI 95% [0.16-0.77], p < 0.01), LVEF (HR = 0.96, CI 95% [0.94-0.98], p= 0.0005), and MR-proANP (HR=3.77, CI 95% [2.01-7.08], p<0.0001).Conclusions: MR-proANP emerges as a valuable biomarker for the prediction of death and heart failure related events in HCM patients.