The role of cardiorenal biomarkers for risk stratification in the early follow-up after hospitalisation for acute heart failure.

CONTEXT: Cardiorenal biomarkers (CBs) predict outcome in acute heart failure (AHF). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CBs in early follow-up prognostication. METHODS: In 124 AHF patients, levels of CystatinC, NT-proBNP and TroponinI measured five weeks from admission (W5) and relative change from day 2 (D2) were assessed for 6-month prognosis (mortality/HF hospitalization). RESULTS: The combined end-point occurred in 33 patients (27%). D2-, W5-cystatin≥ median, and lack of ≥30%decrease in NT-proBNP were independent predictors of outcome. Additionally, a risk score established from W5 CBs identified patients with very high event rate. CONCLUSIONS: CBs at early follow-up of AHF may guide risk stratification.