Evaluating NT-proBNP-to-Albumin (NTAR) and RDW-to-eGFR (RGR) Ratios as Biomarkers for Predicting Hospitalization Duration and Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Prognostic biomarkers are essential for guiding the clinical management of pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to assess both established and novel biomarkers-specifically, the red cell distribution width-to-estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio (RGR) and the NT-proBNP-to-albumin ratio (NTAR)-for their ability to predict length of hospital stay (LOS), prolonged LOS (ELOS), in-hospital mortality, and 3-month all-cause mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 275 PH-related hospital regular admissions (148 PAH; 127 CTEPH). Established biomarkers-including serum albumin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Log NT-proBNP, red cell distribution width (RDW), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)-as well as novel indices (RGR, and NTAR) were examined for their relationships with LOS, ELOS, in-hospital mortality, and 3-month all-cause mortality. Spearman correlation, univariate logistic regression, and ROC analyses evaluated biomarker relationships and predictive performance. <b>Results</b>: Serum albumin independently predicted in-hospital and 3-month mortality in PAH, while in CTEPH, it inversely correlated with LOS and strongly predicted prolonged hospitalization and mortality (AUC = 0.833). NLR had limited correlation with LOS but predicted mortality across both groups. RDW correlated weakly with LOS, significantly predicting prolonged hospitalization (threshold > 52.1 fL) in PAH but not in CTEPH. Preserved renal function (eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) was inversely associated with LOS in CTEPH patients, suggesting a protective effect. Additionally, reduced eGFR significantly predicted mortality in both PAH (AUC = 0.701; optimal cut-off ≤ 97.4 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) and CTEPH (AUC = 0.793; optimal cut-off ≤ 59.2 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) groups. NTAR (AUC = 0.817) outperformed Log NT-proBNP alone in predicting extended hospitalization and mortality, whereas RGR correlated with LOS and predicted in-hospital mortality. Phenotype-specific analysis demonstrated that inflammatory and renal biomarkers had a stronger prognostic impact in CTEPH. <b>Conclusions</b>: Stratification by PH phenotype highlighted the greater prognostic significance of inflammatory and renal indices, particularly in patients with CTEPH. Incorporating NTAR and RGR into clinical workflows may enhance risk stratification and enable more precisely targeted interventions to improve outcomes in pulmonary hypertension.

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Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2025-08-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15172126
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
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article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.56
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article

Evaluating NT-proBNP-to-Albumin (NTAR) and RDW-to-eGFR (RGR) Ratios as Biomarkers for Predicting Hospitalization Duration and Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)

Ioan Ţilea, Andreea Varga, Liviu Cristescu, Răzvan Gheorghiţă Mareş et al.
3 citations
Diagnostics
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
4.56
article

Evaluating NT-proBNP-to-Albumin (NTAR) and RDW-to-eGFR (RGR) Ratios as Biomarkers for Predicting Hospitalization Duration and Mortality in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH)

Ioan Ţilea, Andreea Varga, Liviu Cristescu, Răzvan Gheorghiţă Mareş, Dragos Gabriel Iancu
article en
3 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Prognostic biomarkers are essential for guiding the clinical management of pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to assess both established and novel biomarkers-specifically, the red cell distribution width-to-estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio (RGR) and the NT-proBNP-to-albumin ratio (NTAR)-for their ability to predict length of hospital stay (LOS), prolonged LOS (ELOS), in-hospital mortality, and 3-month all-cause mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 275 PH-related hospital regular admissions (148 PAH; 127 CTEPH). Established biomarkers-including serum albumin, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Log NT-proBNP, red cell distribution width (RDW), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)-as well as novel indices (RGR, and NTAR) were examined for their relationships with LOS, ELOS, in-hospital mortality, and 3-month all-cause mortality. Spearman correlation, univariate logistic regression, and ROC analyses evaluated biomarker relationships and predictive performance. <b>Results</b>: Serum albumin independently predicted in-hospital and 3-month mortality in PAH, while in CTEPH, it inversely correlated with LOS and strongly predicted prolonged hospitalization and mortality (AUC = 0.833). NLR had limited correlation with LOS but predicted mortality across both groups. RDW correlated weakly with LOS, significantly predicting prolonged hospitalization (threshold > 52.1 fL) in PAH but not in CTEPH. Preserved renal function (eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) was inversely associated with LOS in CTEPH patients, suggesting a protective effect. Additionally, reduced eGFR significantly predicted mortality in both PAH (AUC = 0.701; optimal cut-off ≤ 97.4 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) and CTEPH (AUC = 0.793; optimal cut-off ≤ 59.2 mL/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>) groups. NTAR (AUC = 0.817) outperformed Log NT-proBNP alone in predicting extended hospitalization and mortality, whereas RGR correlated with LOS and predicted in-hospital mortality. Phenotype-specific analysis demonstrated that inflammatory and renal biomarkers had a stronger prognostic impact in CTEPH. <b>Conclusions</b>: Stratification by PH phenotype highlighted the greater prognostic significance of inflammatory and renal indices, particularly in patients with CTEPH. Incorporating NTAR and RGR into clinical workflows may enhance risk stratification and enable more precisely targeted interventions to improve outcomes in pulmonary hypertension.

DiagnosticsVol. 15(17)
Universitatea de Medicină, Farmacie, Științe și Tehnologie „George Emil Palade” din Târgu Mureș (RO)
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Pulmonary Hypertension Research and Treatments
4.56
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