Role of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin T in predicting right ventricular recovery in myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The determinants of right ventricular (RV) recovery after successful revascularization in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients are not clear. Besides, the relationship between Troponin T (TnT), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and improvement in RV function is also unknown. This study hypothesizes that a lower TnT and NT-proBNP level would be associated with RV recovery. METHODS: One hundred forty-eight STEMI patients were included in our study. Echocardiography were performed before and 12-18 weeks after discharge. Patients were divided into three groups according to the changes in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as 53 patients with ≥10% change, 41 patients with 1-9% change, and 54 patients ≤0% change. RV recovery was accepted as ≥10% TAPSE improvement and the predictors of RV recovery were investigated. RESULTS: RV recovery was detected in 35.8% of the patients. Low baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (OR: 0.91 [0.84-0.98], p=0.023), NT-proBNP (OR: 0.93 [0.89-0.98], p=0.014), TnT (OR: 0.84 [0.68-0.93], p=0.038), inferior myocardial infarction (OR: 2.66 [1.10-6.40], p=0.028), wall motion score index ratio (OR: 0.93 [0.88-0.97], p=0.002) and post-percutaneous coronary intervention TIMI flow 3 (OR: 5.84 [1.41-24.22], p=0.015) were determined as independent predictors of RV recovery. Being in the high TnT group 4.2 times, and being in the high NT-proBNP group 5.3 times could predict the failure to achieve RV recovery. Furthermore, when high TnT level was combined with high NT-proBNP level, the odds ratio of failure to achieve RV recovery was the highest (OR: 8.03 [2.59-24.89], p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Lower TnT and lower NT-proBNP level was associated with better improvement in RV function in STEMI patients.