Higher NT-proBNP Levels are Related to Poor Functional Outcome and Pneumonia in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients

Background: We investigated the association between N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) levels upon hospital admission and early hematoma growth (HG), inhospital pneumonia and major disability in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: A total of 353 ICH patients from January 2014 to February 2019 were included in the present study. Patients were divided into three groups based on the admission NT-proBNP levels (T1: <61; T2: 61-199; T3: ≥199 pg/mL). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of NT-proBNP on early HG, in-hospital pneumonia, and major disability upon hospital discharge (modified Rankin Scale score ≥5) in ICH patients. Results: There was no significant association observed between baseline NT-proBNP levels and early HG (P-trend =0.249). The risk of in-hospital pneumonia was significantly higher in patients with the highest NT-proBNP level (T3) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-4.08) and higher NT-proBNP level (T2) (adjusted OR 2.18; 95% CI, 1.19-4.00) compared to those with lowest NT-proBNP level (T1). The highest NT-proBNP level (T3) was associated with a 3.55-fold increase in the risk of major disability at hospital discharge (adjusted OR 3.55; 95% CI, 1.23-10.26; P-trend =0.013) in comparison to T1 after adjustment for potential covariates, including pneumonia. Conclusion: Increased NT-proBNP at admission was independently associated with in-hospital pneumonia and major disability upon discharge but not early hematoma growth in acute ICH patients.