The American journal of cardiology
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We sought to determine prospectively whether serial assessment of the natriuretic peptide prohormone, amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), correlated with clinical severity and outcomes in children hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Patients (>1 month of age) admitted from 2005 to 2007 with ADHF requiring intravenous vasoactive/diuretic therapy for ADHF were eligible. Serum NT-pro-BNP levels were obtained within 24 hours of admission and at prespecified intervals, and clinical caregivers were blinded to these levels. ⋯ At discharge, NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly decreased from admission levels but remained well above normal for all patients. Single-point NT-pro-BNP levels on admission did not correlate with independently assessed clinical scores of heart failure severity or predict the need for MCS in this cohort. In conclusion, serial NT-pro-BNP levels demonstrated an incremental trend after 48 hours in patients who went on to require MCS but decreased in all other patients and may therefore assist the decision to initiate or avoid MCS after admission for pediatric ADHF.