The prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in non-cardiac patients with sepsis, ultra-long follow-up

Sepsis is a multifactorial syndrome with increasing incidence of morbidity and mortality. Identification of outcome predictors is therefore essential. Recently, elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been observed in patients with septic shock. Little information is available concerning BNP levels in patients with critical illness, especially with sepsis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the role of BNP as a biomarker for long-term mortality in patients with sepsis. We studied 259 patients with sepsis and absence of heart failure. BNP levels were obtained for all patients. A long-term survival follow-up was done, and survival was evaluated 90days after admission, and during the subsequent 60months of follow-up. Eighty-two patients died during the 90-day follow-up (31.7%), 53 died in the index hospitalization (20.5%). On multivariate analysis models, elevated values of BNP were a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality, 90-day and 60-month mortality in patients with sepsis. BNP was a better prognostic predictor than the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for 90-day mortality, and a better predictor for 60-month mortality in low risk groups. In the population of hospitalized patients with sepsis, BNP is a strong independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality. •An observational study, investigating BNP as a prognostic factor in patients with sepsis, without congestive heart failure.•BNP is a good independent prognostic value for in-hospital mortality, 90-days mortality and long term survival.•BNP is with more accurate prognostic value than SOFA for long term mortality.•In patients with sepsis and high BNP levels, a close follow up should be considered.