Marked elevations in N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide levels in septic shock.
BACKGROUND
N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a cardiac biomarker that has recently shown to be of diagnostic value in a diagnosis of decompensated heart failure, acute coronary syndromes and other conditions resulting in myocardial stretch. We sought to study whether sepsis-induced myocardial dilation would result in an elevation of NT-proBNP.


METHODS
Serum NT-proBNP measurements were made in six consecutive patients with septic shock within 6 hours of admission to the intensive care unit.


RESULTS
Markedly elevated levels of NT-proBNP were found in all six patients.


CONCLUSIONS
NT-proBNP levels can be markedly elevated in critically ill patients presenting with septic shock. An elevated NT-proBNP level in a critically ill patient is not specific for decompensated heart failure.
Chua
Gerald
G
Division of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. geraldswchua@yahoo.com.sg <geraldswchua@yahoo.com.sg>
Kang-Hoe
Lee
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D012372:ROC Curve; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain