title: [Prognostic value of NT-proBNP in chronic pulmonary disease exacerbation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced and released mainly from ventricles. BNP has been shown to be useful in diagnosis and prognosis in heart failure and some pulmonary conditions. The aim of this study is to analyse whether NT-proBNP has a prognostic value in chronic pulmonary patients without overt heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an observational and prospective study. We included 192 patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Departments of Hospital Clinico "Lozano Blesa" (Zaragoza, Spain) and "Virgen de la Luz" (Cuenca, Spain) with acute exacerbation of pulmonary disease. Blood samples were taken to determine NT-proBNP concentrations. All patients were followed for 6 months after admission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  6,3% of patients died, 22,9% were prescribed with home oxygen-therapy, 18,2% received a diuretic prescription and 21,9% were re-admitted at least once during the follow-up period. Mean NT-proBNP was 1180pg/ml. A concentration above 500pg/ml and 350pg/ml of NT-proBNP was useful to predict mortality and diuretic prescription respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with acute exacerbations of chronic pulmonary disease, NT-proBNP could be a prognostic factor to identify those at risk of death or worst clinical development.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Zaragoza, España. marta.sanchez15@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Marteles
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molina Medina
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bermejo Saiz
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruiz Laiglesia
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Nieto Rodriguez
authors.forename: Juan I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Pérez-Calvo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain