title: B-type natriuretic peptide may be unsuitable for diagnosing central acute pulmonary embolism.
abstract: We describe a case of a 90-year-old male admitted to the emergency department with deep vein thrombosis and central acute pulmonary embolism. Despite a remarkably increased value of D-dimer and a modestly elevated concentration of cardiac troponin I, the value of B-type natriuretic peptide was found to be non-diagnostic. Limited to this single case report, our evidence suggests that the measurement of natriuretic peptides is questionable for diagnosing central acute pulmonary embolism in the emergency department.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lippi
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giuliotti
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sandei
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meschi
authors.forename: Loris
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cervellin
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D019210:Troponin I; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D014859:Warfarin