Figure 3

Association of sequentially measured NT-proCNP concentrations with ICU mortality. (a) Patients that die during the course of ICU treatment have significantly higher serum amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) levels on admittance to the ICU (P = 0.001) and on day 3 (P = 0.001) than survivors. At day 7 no significant changes in NT-proCNP levels between survivors and non-survivors were detected. Box plot are displayed, where the bold line indicates the median per group, the box represents 50% of the values, and horizontal lines show minimum and maximum values of the calculated non-outlier values; asterisks and open circles indicate outlier values. (b and c) Kaplan-Meier survival curves of ICU patients are displayed, showing that patients with high NT-proCNP levels (> 8 pmol/L, grey) have an increased short-term mortality in the ICU as compared with patients with low NT-proCNP serum concentrations. P-values are given in the figure. (d) Survivors in the ICU display a significant decrease in NT-proCNP serum concentrations between day 1 and day 3 (P = 0.001) as compared with non-survivors.