[Measurement of NT-proBNP in elderly patients with acute dyspnea: diagnostic and pronostic value].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to establish weather N-terminal fragment of brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is useful in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea in elderly patients, and whether its determination has a prognostic value in heart failure (HF).


METHODS
79 patients admitted with acute dyspnea at the emergency department were included in our study. The mean age (standard deviation) was 77.56 (8.71) years. 67% had a diagnosis of HF based on clinical and echocardiagraphic criteria. A follow-up of 18 months was performed after discharge.


RESULTS
Higher levels of NT-proBNP were found in patients with HF (6,833.54 pg/ml) than in patients with other causes of dyspnea (1,801.99 pg/ml) (p < 0.0001). A cut-off point of NT-proBNP > 730 pg/ml was related to higher rates of readmission due to HF over the next 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
NT-proBNP is a useful biomarker in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea in the elderly population. Its determination has a prognostic roll, stratifying the risk of readmission in HF patients.
Méndez Bailón
Manuel
M
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. icc-bnp@lycos.es
Muñoz Rivas
Nuria
N
Romero Román
Carlos
C
Pérez de Oteyza
Carlos
C
Conthe Gutiérrez
Pedro
P
Audibert Mena
Luis
L
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain