title: Changes in plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and their association with heart failure have been reported in subjects with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine and compare plasma BNP levels and diastolic and systolic dysfunction in subjects with AECOPD and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 87 unselected consecutive hospitalizations due to AECOPD in 61 subjects and a total of 190 consecutive subjects with stable COPD were recruited. Plasma BNP levels were compared cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were also performed in the hospitalized subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the hospitalized subjects, the median plasma BNP level (interquartile range) was 55.4 (26.9-129.3) pg/mL and was higher than that of patients with stable COPD: 18.3 (10.0-45.3) for Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease grade I; 25.8 (11.0-53.7) for grade II; 22.1 (9.1-52.6) for grade III; and 17.2 (9.6-22.9) pg/mL for grade I V, all P<0.001. In 15 subjects studied prospectively, the median plasma BNP level was 19.4 (9.8-32.2) pg/mL before AECOPD, 72.7 (27.7-146.3) pg/mL during AECOPD, and 14.6 (12.9-39.0) pg/mL after AECOPD (P<0.0033 and P<0.0013, respectively). Median plasma BNP levels during AECOPD were significantly higher in ten unsuccessfully discharged subjects 260.5 (59.4-555.0) than in 48 successfully discharged subjects 48.5 (24.2-104.0) pg/mL (P=0.0066). Only 5.6% of AECOPD subjects were associated with systolic dysfunction defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%; a further 7.4% were considered to have impaired relaxation defined as an E/A wave velocity ratio <0.8 and a deceleration time of E >240 ms. BNP levels were weakly correlated with the E/peak early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (Ea) ratio (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient =0.353, P=0.018), but they were not correlated with the LVEF (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient =-0.221, P=0.108).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A modest elevation of plasma BNP is observed during AECOPD. It appears that AECOPD may have an impact on plasma BNP levels that is not attributable to heart failure.
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan.
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Nishimura
authors: Kyoto-Katsura Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Nishimura
authors: Onishi Heart Clinic, Tsu, Japan.
authors: Katsuya
authors: K
authors: Onishi
authors: Department of Respiratory Care and Sleep Control Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Toru
authors: T
authors: Oga
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Hasegawa
authors: Division of Clinical Science, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, England.
authors: Paul W
authors: PW
authors: Jones
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003971:Diastole; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013599:Systole; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015854:Up-Regulation; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: B-type natriuretic peptide; acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; heart failure