Comparative analysis of different prognostic markers in predicting outcome in advanced heart failure

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating condition with an adverse outcome, especially during the advanced stage having higher morbidity and mortality rates. Various parameters have been used as prognostic markers in advanced HF. This study highlights about the comparative analysis of different prognostic markers in predicting mortality in advanced HF. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in patients of advanced HF admitted to the department of medicine intensive care unit in a rural tertiary care hospital from 2018 to 2020. Advanced HF was diagnosed using the updated HF Association-European Society of Cardiology criteria. The serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), six-minute walk test (6MWT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and glycosylated hemoglobin type A1c levels were measured on admission. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also studied for the above-mentioned variables, and the area under ROC curve (AUROC) was also determined. Results: Seventy-five patients with an average age of 60.55 ± 14.04 years were evaluated. Out of 75, 48 (64%) were male and 27 (36%) were female. There was inhospital mortality in 20 (26.67%) patients. The mean NT-proBNP levels among the mortality group was 9826.95 ± 3485.10 pg/mL, while in nonmortality group, it was 6135.40 ± 2342.77 pg/mL (P = 0.001). The cutoff range in this study for on-admission serum NT-proBNP levels was 8990 pg/mL, with AUROC of 0.81, the sensitivity of 70.0%, and specificity of 90.9%. In multiple regression analysis keeping mortality as the dependent variable, it was seen that variables NT-proBNP, 6MWT (<300 m), and LVEF were significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: Serum NT-proBNP and 6MWT (<300 m) were important predictors of mortality in advanced HF.