Correlation between NT proBNP and left ventricular ejection fraction in elderly patients presenting to emergency department with dyspnoea.
OBJECTIVE
Shortness of breath is a common complaint for which the elderly seek medical attention in the emergency department (ED). Differentiating cardiac from respiratory causes of dyspnoea in this population is quite a challenge. N Terminal pro brain-natriuretic-peptide (NT proBNP) has been studied extensively as a biomarker of left ventricular (LV) failure.


METHODS
The NT proBNP was measured in 100 patients above 60 years of age who presented to the ED with shortness of breath. The level was compared with echocardiographic findings to assess correlation with ejection fraction (EF).


RESULTS
The NT proBNP values increased significantly as the functional severity of heart failure (HF) increased (P < 0.001). The mean NT proBNP level was 1503.33 pg/mL. Patients with respiratory causes of dyspnoea had a mean NT proBNP level of 309.28 pg/mL with normal LV function.


CONCLUSIONS
The NT proBNP levels had a good correlation with worsening LVEF.
Department of Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical Teaching Hospital, MSRITPost, Bengaluru - 560054, India. amulyacb@gmail.com
Amulya C
AC
Belagavi
Medha
M
Rao
Aslam Y
AY
Pillai
U S
US
Srihari
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain