Usefulness of β-trace protein and cystatin C for the prediction of mortality in non ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Beta-trace protein (BTP) is a low–molecular mass protein belonging to the lipocalin protein family, which is more sensitive than serum creatinine for detecting impaired renal function. The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether plasma BTP improves the risk stratification of patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and to compare it to cystatin C (CysC), serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Two hundred twenty-six consecutive patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes were prospectively included. Blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of hospital admission to measure BTP, CysC, and creatinine. The study end point was all-cause death. Over a median follow-up period of 859 days (interquartile range [IQR] 524 to 1,164), 24 patients (10.6%) died. Decedents had higher concentrations of BTP (1.03 mg/L [IQR 0.89 to 1.43] vs 0.74 mg/L [IQR 0.61 to 0.92], p 2 , p