Prognostic impact of intensive statin therapy on N-terminal pro-BNP level in non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the impact of intensive daily dosing of atorvastatin on in-hospital N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level, left ventricular systolic function and incidence of major adverse cardiac events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed that early initiation of statin therapy in acute coronary syndrome patients has a favorable prognostic impact.

METHODS: Hundred statin naive patients were prospectively enrolled. Once eligible, patients were randomly assigned to receive either a moderate daily dose that is, 20 mg (Group A) or an intensified daily dose that is, 80 mg (Group B) of atorvastatin, in addition to an equally divided loading dose given 24 and 12 h before coronary angiography (80 mg each). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were recorded before and after coronary intervention. Collected data after 3 months included; N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, left ventricle systolic function and major adverse cardiac events.

RESULTS: Mean age of the study cohort was 55 ± 10 years, 68% being males. There was no significant difference between both groups concerning procedural data. Group B patients showed a significantly lower N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels at both sampling occasions, i.e., after coronary intervention and 3 months later (P < 0.001). After 3 months, the same group showed higher left ventricle ejection fraction (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between both groups regarding incidence of major adverse cardiac events.

CONCLUSION: Intensive atorvastatin therapy in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with; lower in-hospital N-terminal pro BNP level and higher LVEF after 3 months.