Brain natriuretic peptide measurement in pulmonary medicine

A Novel Tool for Predicting an Abnormal Echocardiogram in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism: The PEACE Score

BACKGROUND

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is an essential tool for risk-stratifying patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), but its availability is limited, often requiring hospitalization. Minimal research exists evaluating clinical and laboratory criteria to predict lack of abnormal TTE findings.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify predictors associated with abnormal TTE results in patients with PE to potentially identify those safe for early discharge.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we analyzed an existing database of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) at two academic emergency departments, including adult patients with confirmed PE who underwent TTE. The primary goal was to develop and validate a score predicting abnormal TTE, defined as presence of one of the following: right ventricle (RV) dilatation or hypokinesis, septal flattening, right heart thrombus in transit, or ejection fraction < 50%. Variables were demographic characteristics, symptoms, computed tomography (CT) RV strain, troponin T, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP). Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables independently associated with abnormal TTE. Model discrimination was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve. A clinical prediction rule was developed.

RESULTS

530 of 2235 patients were included; 56% (297 of 530) had an abnormal TTE. The following six variables were independently associated with abnormal TTE: dyspnea, dizziness, troponin T ≥ 0.1 ng/mL, NTproBNP > 900 pg/mL, CT RV strain, and nonsubsegmental PE. A clinical prediction rule using these six criteria yielded scores between 0 and 7, performing well with AUC of 0.80 (95% CI 0.79-0.80). A score of 1 was 99.7% sensitive in identifying no abnormality. A score ≥ 5 was 98% specific for an abnormality.

CONCLUSIONS

The PEACE (Pulmonary Embolism and Abnormal Cardiac Echocardiogram) criteria, composed of six variables, is highly effective in predicting abnormal TTE in patients with PE, potentially identifying who is safe for early discharge from the hospital.

NT-proBNP in Different Patient Groups of COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose

NT-proBNP, a peptide biomarker synthesized and secreted by cardiomyocytes in response to cardiac load, has gained attention in recent years for its potential role in respiratory diseases. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a chronic and progressive inflammatory condition affecting the respiratory system, is frequently associated with comorbidities involving the cardiovascular system. Consequently, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the variations in NT-proBNP levels across distinct patient groups with COPD and establish a foundation for future investigations into the precise clinical significance of NT-proBNP in COPD.

Methods

The search databases for this study were conducted in PubMed, Excerpt Medica database (Embase), Web of Science (WOS), and Cochrane Library databases. Databases were searched for studies on the predictive value of NT-proBNP in adult COPD patients.

Results

A total of 29 studies (8534 participants) were included. Patients with stable COPD exhibit elevated levels of NT-proBNP [standardized mean difference(SMD) [95CI%]=0.51 [0.13,0.89]; p=0.0092]. COPD patients with predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) < 50% exhibit significantly elevated levels of NT-proBNP compared to those with FEV₁ ⩾50%[SMD [95CI%]=0.17 [0.05,0.29]; p=0.0058]. NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in acute exacerbations (AECOPD) compared to patients with stable COPD [SMD [95CI%]=1.18 [0.07,2.29]; p=0.037]. NT-proBNP levels was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors of hospitalised AECOPD patients [SMD [95CI%]=1.67 [0.47,2.88]; p=0.0063]. Both COPD patients with pulmonary hypertension(PH) [SMD [95CI%]=0.82 [0.69,0.96]; p<0.0001] and chronic heart failure(CHF) [SMD [95CI%]=1.49 [0.96,2.01]; p<0.0001] showed higher NT-proBNP level.

Conclusion

NT-proBNP, a biomarker commonly used in clinical practice to evaluate cardiovascular disease, demonstrates significant variations in different stages of COPD and during the progression of the disease. The fluctuations in NT-proBNP levels could be indicative of the severity of pulmonary hypoxia and inflammation and cardiovascular stress among COPD patients. Therefore, assessing NT-proBNP levels in COPD patients can aid in making informed clinical decisions.

Natriuretic peptides in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are considered a useful tool for diagnosing the cardiac or pulmonary origin of acute dyspnea in the emergency department. The aim of this study was to evaluate NP in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Materials and methods

In the PubMed and Hinari databases, we identified 465 comprehensive articles in English, published in the years 1990–2021, which provided information on natriuretic peptides in elderly patients with COPD. The final bibliography contains 49 relevant sources.

Results

NP, specially BNP/NT-proBNP values are frequently elevated in patients with COPD, reflecting three complex aspects of the interrelated cardio-pulmonary continuum: (1) left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, (2) pulmonary vascular and right heart remodeling, (3) global cardiovascular risk and comorbidities. The additional increase in BNP/NT-proBNP values during acute exacerbation of COPD is probably a marker for both, acute estate of COPD and varying degrees of underlying cardiopulmonary disease.

The results of the studies suggest the role of natriuretic peptides as relevant prognostic biomarkers not only for patients with cardiovascular disease, but also for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which has an important clinical implication. The determination of these biomarkers in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease allows stratification for prognosis: it is able to select a subgroup of patients at higher risk, which requires increased attention and optimization of treatment.

Conclusion

NPs, especially BNP/NT-proBNP are relevant prognostic biomarkers not only for patients with cardiovascular disease, but also for patients with COPD, acute exacerbations and haemodynamic disorders like PH and cor pulmonale. Estimating BNP/NT-proBNP in COPD patients has an important clinical implication: it allows the selection of a subgroup of patients at higher risk, which requires increased attention and treatment optimization.

Prognostic Value of N-terminal Probrain Natriuretic Peptide for Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

The mortality rate of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is high. Hence, it is crucial to identify a reliable biomarker with wide clinical applications for predicting the prognosis of patients with ARDS. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the value of plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for predicting mortality in patients with ARDS.

Methods

An electronic search of databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure was conducted up to May 31, 2019, without language restrictions. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using QUADAS-2. Data were extracted and analyzed to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio. A forest graph was used to evaluate heterogeneity. Potential causes of heterogeneity were further explored by subgroup analysis based on the testing day, testing method, observation endpoint, or cut-off points. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to obtain the pooled area under the curve.

Results

A total of 7 studies involving 581 patients with ARDS were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were as follows: 0.79 (95% CI: 0.72–0.84), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66–0.88), 3.68 (95% CI: 2.16–6.28), 0.27 (95% CI: 0.20–0.38), and 13.58 (95% CI: 6.17–29.90), respectively. The results of subgroup analysis showed that the testing day influenced the summary sensitivity and that the cut-off points influenced the summary sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that elevated plasma NT-proBNP levels have a moderate value for predicting the mortality of patients with ARDS.

Expression patterns of natriuretic peptides in pre-hibernating and hibernating anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) lung

Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) is a true hibernator. This animal transiently reduces pulmonary function during hibernation. Continuance of pulmonary function is very important to survive ground squirrels during the hibernation. Natriuretic peptides may be key players in the modulation of pulmonary hemostasis. However, NPs' role in pulmonary function during hibernation remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the localization and distribution of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in squirrel lungs during pre-hibernation and hibernation periods using immunohistochemistry. Our immunohistochemical data indicate that ANP, BNP, and CNP were produced by the mucosal epithelium of terminal and respiratory bronchioles, smooth muscle cells in the lamina propria of terminal bronchioles and vascular smooth muscle cells, alveolar type II cells, and macrophages. ANP immunoreactivity was weaker than BNP and CNP immunoreactivities in these cells. The results also demonstrate that the number of ANP, BNP and CNP positive alveolar type II cells tended to increase, although statistically non-significant, during the hibernation period, but the expression of NPs in other pulmonary cells is unaffected by hibernation. This study firstly investigates ANP, BNP and CNP distribution in the Anatolian ground squirrel lung. However, further studies are required to dissect their functional roles during the hibernation.

The Correlation of Serum Brain Natriuretic Peptide and Interleukin-6 with Quality of Life Using the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) and interleukin (IL)-6 in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to correlate these markers with health-related quality of life using the COPD assessment test (CAT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum pro-BNP and IL-6 levels were measured in 82 patients with stable COPD. Serum pro-BNP and serum IL-6 levels, pulmonary function, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage and CAT score. Also, the associations of both pro-BNP and IL-6 with the clinical parameters of patients were tested.

RESULTS

The serum levels of IL-6 (7.57 [5-11.16] pg/mL) and pro-BNP (120.55 [92.89-144.20] pg/mL) were higher with enhancing disease severity based on the GOLD classification (p = 0.034 and 0.068, respectively). Also, serum levels of pro-BNP (120.55 [89.50-147.90] pg/mL) and IL-6 (6.68 [4.40-11.97] pg/mL) were increased in patients with high CAT scores (p = 0.004 and 0.017, respectively). There was a significant positive correlation between plasma pro-BNP and IL-6 levels (r = 0.332, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrated that with increased severity of obstruction based on the GOLD criteria both IL-6 and pro-BNP were elevated. This increase in inflammatory markers was associated with a reduced quality of life and the severity of hypoxia. These findings indicated that lowering IL-6 and pro-BNP could be useful in the management of COPD patients.