BACKGROUND: NT–proBNP is a well–recognized biochemical marker of congestive heart failure. Recent studies suggested that NT–proBNP may be used as a marker of cardioembolic stroke.

OBEJECTIVE: To study the value of N–terminal proB–type natriuretic peptide in differentiating cardioembolic stroke from other subtypes of stroke.

MATERIAL & METHODS: A total of 108 consecutive patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke within 72 hours of onset of stroke were studied. They were classified in to four groups: Cardioembolic (CE), Large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), Small–vessel disease (SVD) and other subtypes. Serum NT–proBNP levels were assessed.

RESULTS: Out of 108 patients, 28(25.9%) were cardioembolic whereas 74.1% patients were in non–cardioembolic (NCE) group. The levels of NT–proBNP were significantly high in CE group (839.2±491.6 pg/ml) vs NCE group (153.96±144.25pg/ml) (p value<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that NT–proBNP level estimation as a biomarker has an acceptable diagnostic value in distinguishing cardioembolic stroke from other subtypes.