title: The role of NT-proBNP and Apelin in the assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and apelin in the assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective case-control study was conducted at Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey, from January 2008 to June 2009, and comprised adult patients with acute pulmonary embolism. A smaller group of healthy adults served as the control. Blood N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and apelin levels were measured on admission to the Emergency Department. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 56 cases and 20 controls in the study. Blood N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were higher in cases than the controls (p<0.05). Apelin levels were not different between the groups (p>0.05). Patients with right ventricular dysfunction had significantly higher peptide levels than those without the dysfunction (p<0.05). The cut-off value of peptide for the prediction of right ventricular dysfunction was 1000 pg/ml, with a sensitivity of 92.1% and specificity of 77.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant change in plasma apelin levels in acute pulmonary embolism. The blood N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide maybe a useful parameter in the assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bagcilar Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul.
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turker
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yardan
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baydin
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sabri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demircan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000073861:Apelin; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C115436:APLN protein, human; D000073861:Apelin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: Pulmonary embolism, Right ventricular dysfunction, NT-proBNP, Apelin.