The Prognostic Value of B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis Without Heart Failure: Insights From ILLUMINATE‐CS

Background The prognostic role of BNP (B‐type natriuretic peptide) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without evident heart failure is unknown. Methods and Results This is a post hoc analysis of ILLUMINATE‐CS (Illustration of the Management and Prognosis of Japanese Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis), a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study that evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. We analyzed patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without evident heart failure at the time of diagnosis. The association between baseline BNP levels and prognosis was investigated. The primary end point was the combined end point of all‐cause death, heart failure hospitalization, and fatal ventricular arrhythmia. In total, 238 patients (61.0±11.1 years, 37% men) were analyzed, and 61 primary end points were observed during a median follow‐up period of 3.0 (interquartile range, 1.7–5.8) years. Patients with high BNP (BNP above the median value of BNP) were older and had a lower renal function and left ventricular ejection fraction than those with low BNP values. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis indicated that high BNP levels were significantly associated with a high incidence of primary end points (log‐rank P=0.004), and this association was retained even in multivariable Cox regression (hazard ratio, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.19–3.55]; P=0.010). Log‐transformed BNP as a continuous variable was associated with the primary end point (hazard ratio, 2.12 [95% CI, 1.31–3.43]; P=0.002). Conclusions High baseline BNP level was an independent predictor of future adverse events in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis without heart failure at the time of diagnosis. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/english/; Unique Identifier: UMIN‐CTR: UMIN000034974.