title: Cardiac dysfunction and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: Elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptides among patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with higher mortality. The pathophysiology is unclear. To establish if elevated levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are due to right or left heart dysfunction, we performed echocardiograms in 18 patients admitted to hospital with COPD. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP were associated with both right and left heart dysfunction and indicate that these patients have biventricular dysfunction rather than isolated right ventricular compromise.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. lidistick@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M H S
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hancox
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain