Prognostic utility of changes in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic Peptide combined with sequential organ failure assessment scores in patients with acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome concomitant with septic shock

Brain natriuretic peptide as a predictive marker of mortality in sepsis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Early identification of patients with sepsis at high risk of death remains a challenge, and whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has a prognostic effect on patients with sepsis is controversial. Here, we clarified the prognostic value of BNP and NT-proBNP and sought to establish suitable cutoff values and intervals.

METHODS

We searched five databases to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcomes were the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the curve (AUC), and corresponding 95% credible interval (95% CI) of BNP and NT-proBNP. The secondary outcomes were the sensitivity and specificity of BNP or NT-proBNP in subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies were included in our meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of NT-proBNP (0.77 [0.68, 0.84]) was weaker than that of BNP (0.82 [0.76, 0.87]), the pooled specificity of NT-proBNP (0.70 [0.60, 0.77]) was less than that of BNP (0.77 [0.71, 0.82]), and the AUC of BNP (0.87 [0.83-0.89]) was greater than that of NT-proBNP (0.80 (0.76-0.83]). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the cutoff range of 400-800 pg/mL for BNP had high sensitivity (0.86 [0.74-0.98]) and specificity (0.87 [0.81-0.93]) and was probably the most appropriate cutoff range.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated levels of BNP and NT-proBNP were significantly related to the mortality of patients with sepsis and had a moderate prognostic value in predicting the mortality of patients with sepsis. In addition, our meta-analysis preliminarily established appropriate cutoff values for BNP and NT-proBNP.

N-terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide is a Myocardial Biomarker in Pulmonary Sepsis and Septic Shock

The objective: to study changes and prognostic significance of the blood NT-proBNP in the patients with pulmonary sepsis.

Subjects and Methods. The study included 34 patients aged 54.5 ± 2.9 years with pulmonary sepsis or septic shock. Lethality in the intensive care unit (ICU) was 47.1%. NT-proBNP, procalcitonin (PCT) levels, blood lactate and hemodynamic parameters were registered on the 1st day (stage 1) and on the 4th-5th day of the ICU stay (stage 2). Hemodynamics was assessed through transpulmonary thermodilution. The differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results: At stage 1, NT-proBNP level was 5,220 [1,380‒17,850] pg/ml, did not decrease (p = 0.726) at stage 2 and amounted to 1,760 [631‒847] pg/ml. At stage 1, NT-proBNP correlated with extravascular lung water index (rho = 0.445; p = 0.038) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (rho = 0.414; p = 0.023). At stage 2, NT-proBNP correlated with PCT (rho = 0.569; p = 0.003), blood lactate (rho = 0.525; p = 0.001), and mean arterial pressure to norepinephrine dosage ratio (rho = -0.422; p = 0.035). At stage 1, NT-proBNP was no predictor of lethality in the ICU: OR 1.0000; 95% CI 1.0000-1.0001. At stage 2, NT-proBNP > 4,260 pg/ml (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 94.4%) was a predictor of lethality: OR 1.0004, 95% CI 1.0000-1.0008, p = 0.046 (AUC 0.893, 95% CI 0.732-0.974). Any increase of NT-proBNP level (> 0 pg/ml) between stages 2 and 1 was a predictor of lethality (sensitivity 87.5%, specificity 94.4%): OR 119.0, 95% CI 9.7432‒1,453.4241, p = 0.0002 (AUC 0.903, 95% CI 0.751-0.977).

Conclusion: Patients with pulmonary sepsis are characterized by a significant increase of blood NT-proBNP. At stage 1, the biomarker correlated with pulmonary hypertension and moderate pulmonary edema and was no predictor of lethality. At stage 2, NT-proBNP correlated with the indices of infection and sepsis severity (procalcitonin, blood lactate, and mean arterial blood pressure/norepinephrine dosage ratio). At this stage, NT-proBNP levels greater than 4,000 pg/mL and/or any degree of increase in blood levels of the biomarker were both sensitive and specific predictors of a lethal outcome. Specific features of etiopathogenesis of BNP hyperproduction in pulmonary sepsis make it difficult to interpret the elevation of NT-proBNP as an indicator of septic cardiomyopathy but does not reduce its value as a sensitive and specific predictor of lethality.

Cardiovascular Disease in the COVID-19 Era: Myocardial Injury and Thrombosis

COVID-19 is now appreciated as a pandemic, presenting with a wide range of symptoms, mostly respiratory, yet involving other organs massively. Myocardial injury is a crucial complication with significant negative impact on prognosis. Despite all the investigations, exact pathophysiologic mechanisms remain unclear, and so do the appropriate treatments. Thrombosis has been increasingly observed since the first reports, with venous thromboembolism being the major concern. The strategy of thrombosis prophylaxis, though known to be helpful to the clinical scenario, is still a subject of debate.

Cardiac biomarkers in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit. Biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction are associated with high mortality in many respiratory conditions. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the link between elevated biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction in ARDS and mortality.

METHODS

A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases was performed. We included studies of adult intensive care patients with ARDS that reported the risk of death in relation to a measured biomarker of cardiac dysfunction. The primary outcome of interest was mortality up to 60 days. A random-effects model was used for pooled estimates. Funnel-plot inspection was done to evaluate publication bias; Cochrane chi-square tests and I² tests were used to assess heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included in the systematic review and 18 in the meta-analysis. Biomarkers of cardiac stretch included NT-ProBNP (nine studies) and BNP (six studies). Biomarkers of cardiac injury included Troponin-T (two studies), Troponin-I (one study) and High-Sensitivity-Troponin-I (three studies). Three studies assessed multiple cardiac biomarkers. High levels of NT-proBNP and BNP were associated with a higher risk of death up to 60 days (unadjusted OR 8.98; CI 4.15-19.43; p<0.00001). This association persisted after adjustment for age and illness severity. Biomarkers of cardiac injury were also associated with higher mortality, but this association was not statistically significant (unadjusted OR 2.21; CI 0.94-5.16; p= 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Biomarkers of cardiac stretch are associated with increased mortality in ARDS.

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.

Natriuretic Peptides to Predict Short-Term Mortality in Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Data are conflicting regarding the optimal cutoffs of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to predict short-term mortality in patients with sepsis. We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus) for English-language reports of studies evaluating adult patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock with BNP/NT-proBNP levels and short-term mortality (intensive care unit, in-hospital, 28-day, or 30-day) published from January 1, 2000, to September 5, 2017. The average values in survivors and nonsurvivors were used to estimate the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) using a parametric regression model. Thirty-five observational studies (3508 patients) were included (median age, 51-75 years; 12%-74% males; cumulative mortality, 34.2%). A BNP of 622 pg/mL had the greatest discrimination for mortality (sensitivity, 0.695 [95% CI, 0.659-0.729]; specificity, 0.907 [95% CI, 0.810-1.003]; area under the ROC, 0.766 [95% CI, 0.734-0.797]). An NT-proBNP of 4000 pg/mL had the greatest discrimination for mortality (sensitivity, 0.728 [95% CI, 0.703-0.753]; specificity, 0.789 [95% CI, 0.710-0.867]; area under the ROC, 0.787 [95% CI, 0.766-0.809]). In prespecified subgroup analyses, identified BNP/NT-proBNP cutoffs had higher discrimination if specimens were obtained 24 hours or less after admission, in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock, in patients enrolled after 2010, and in studies performed in the United States and Europe. There was inconsistent adjustment for renal function. In this hypothesis-generating analysis, BNP and NT-proBNP cutoffs of 622 pg/mL and 4000 pg/mL optimally predicted short-term mortality in patients with sepsis. The applicability of these results is limited by the heterogeneity of included patient populations.

The utility of brain natriuretic peptides in septic shock as markers for mortality and cardiac dysfunction: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review evaluating the utility of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) as biomarkers in adult patients with septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pubmed/Medline databases were searched from inception to November 2018 using the search terms: (septic[Title/Abstract] AND shock[Title/Abstract]) AND bnp[Title/Abstract]) and (septic[Title/Abstract]) AND shock[Title/Abstract]) AND natriuretic[Title/Abstract]). No restriction was applied regarding date of publication. Comparative observational studies evaluating BNP and NT-proBNP in patients with septic shock aged ≥18 years were eligible for inclusion. Bibliographies from the extracted articles were also reviewed to identify additional relevant publications.

RESULTS

In total, 46 studies met all eligibility criteria and were included. A strong body of literature has demonstrated that in patients with septic shock, increased values of BNP and NT-proBNP are associated with increased mortality. An increase from baseline BNP values has also been associated with increased mortality, whereas decreases from baseline values are not related to worse outcome. Brain natriuretic peptides have also been associated with cardiac dysfunction in patients with sepsis. Moreover, BNP values have been found to be significantly elevated in septic shock, regardless of cardiac dysfunction, and have been used to distinguish between septic and cardiogenic shock. Furthermore, BNP and NT-proBNP are significantly increased in patients with septic shock, compared to patients with sepsis and severe sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

BNP and NT-proBNP appear to be reliable predictors of outcome in septic shock.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide for predicting fluid challenge in patients with septic shock

Background

The aim of this study is to examine whether plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration could predict fluid responsiveness in septic shock patients following fluid challenge (FC).

Methods

We reviewed prospectively collected data from 79 septic shock patients who received invasive cardiac output (CO) monitoring following a 500 mL FC. Haemodynamics were recorded, and blood sampling for NT-proBNP values was performed. Patients were divided into responders and non-responders according to fluid responsiveness, which was defined as cardiac index (CI) increase ≥10% induced by FC. The NT-proBNP and the CI changes were analysed using Pearson correlation. The area under the curve (AUC) for NT-proBNP was used to test its ability to distinguish responders and non-responders. Subgroup analyses were also explored.

Results

Among 79 patients, there were 55 responders. High NT-proBNP values were common in the study cohort. Baseline NT-proBNP values were comparable between responders and non-responders. In general, NT-proBNP values were not significantly correlated with CI changes after FC (r=-0.104, P=0.361). Similarly, the NT-proBNP baseline values could not identify responders to FC with an AUC of 0.508 (95% confidence interval, 0.369-0.647). This result was further confirmed in the subgroup analyses.

Conclusions

Baseline NT-proBNP concentration value may not serve as an indicator of fluid responsiveness in patients with septic shock and should not be an indicator to withhold fluid loading.

The prognostic value of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

We investigated whether N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts the prognosis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Between December 1, 2012, and May 31, 2015, this observational study recruited patients admitted to our tertiary medical center who met the Berlin criteria for ARDS and who had their NT-proBNP measured. The main outcome was 28-day mortality. We enrolled 61 patients who met the Berlin criteria for ARDS: 7 were classified as mild, 29 as moderate, and 25 as severe. The median APACHE II scores were 23 (interquartile range [IQR], 18-28), and SOFA scores were 11 (IQR, 8-13). The median lung injury score was 3.0 (IQR, 2.50-3.25), and the median level of NT-proBNP was 2011 pg/ml (IQR, 579-7216). Thirty-four patients died during this study, and the 28-day mortality rate was 55.7%. Patients who die were older and had significantly (all p < 0.05) higher APACHE II scores and NT-proBNP levels than did patients who survived. Multivariate analysis identified age (HR: 1.546, 95% CI: 1.174-2.035, p = 0.0019) and NT-proBNP (HR: 1.009, 95% CI: 1.004-1.013, p = 0.0001) as significant risk factors of death. NT-proBNP was associated with poor outcomes for patients with ARDS, and its level predicted mortality.

Comparison of prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in septic and non-septic intensive care patients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic value of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in septic and non-septic intensive care patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty consecutive patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled in either the septic or non-septic group according to the criteria in the International Sepsis Definitions Conference in 2001. Demographic and clinical data, procalcitonin and lactate levels at admission, and death within 28 days were registered. Five blood samples were collected from all patients for NT-proBNP measurements.

RESULTS

Septic patients had higher APACHE II (19 (16.00-24.25) vs. 16 (13.00-18.25)), and SOFA (8 (5-10) vs. 6 (4-7)) scores (p <0.05). Procalcitonin levels were also higher in septic patients (3.33 (1.06-10.96) vs. 0.46 (0.26-1.01) ng/ml) and more patients required vasopressors in this group (9 (36%) vs. 2 (8%)) (p < 0.05). In the septic group, the correlation between mortality and the level of NT-proBNP was significant for each measurement, starting from the admission. In the non-septic group the correlation between mortality and the level of NT-proBNP was significant only at the 120th h.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that the level of NT-proBNP at admission is well correlated with 28-day mortality in septic ICU patients. However, single measurement of NT-proBNP levels in non-septic patients does not correlate with the 28-day mortality. Repeated measurements and an increasing trend of the NT-proBNP levels may show a correlation with mortality in non-septic intensive care patients.

Biomarkers in Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care

OBJECTIVES

In this review, we discuss the physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical role of troponin, lactate, and B-type natriuretic peptide in the assessment and management of children with critical cardiac disease.

DATA SOURCE

MEDLINE, PubMed.

CONCLUSION

Lactate, troponin, and B-type natriuretic peptide continue to be valuable biomarkers in the assessment and management of critically ill children with cardiac disease. However, the use of these markers as a single measurement is handicapped by the wide variety of clinical scenarios in which they may be increased. The overall trend may be more useful than any single level with a persistent or rising value of more importance than an elevated initial value.

Predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with paraquat intoxication

Introduction

Paraquat poisoning is characterized by acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory failure, and multi-organ failure, resulting in a high rate of mortality and morbidity. The objectives of this study were to identify predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in cases of paraquat poisoning and determine the association between these parameters.

Materials and Methods

In total, 187 patients were referred for management of intentional paraquat ingestion between 2000 and 2010. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) scores were collected, and predictors of ARDS were analyzed.

Results

The overall mortality rate for the entire population was 54% (101/187). Furthermore, the mortality rate was higher in the ARDS patients than in the non-ARDS patients (80% vs. 43.80%, P<0.001). Additionally, the ARDS patients not only had higher AKIN_48-h scores (P<0.009), SOFA_48-h scores (P<0.001), and time to ARDS/nadir PaO₂ (P=0.008) but also suffered from lower nadir PaO₂ (P<0.001), nadir AaDO₂ (P<0.001), and nadir eGFR (P=0.001) compared to those in the non-ARDS patients. Moreover, pneumomediastinum episodes were more frequent in the ARDS patients than in the non-ARDS patients (P<0.001). A multivariate Cox regression model revealed that blood paraquat concentrations (P<0.001), SOFA_48-h scores (P=0.001), and steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapies (P=0.024) were significant predictors of ARDS. The cumulative survival rates differed significantly (P<0.001) between patients with SOFA_48-h scores <3 and SOFA_48-h scores ≥3, with a sensitivity of 95.8%, specificity of 58.4%, and overall correctness of 67.6%. Finally, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) analysis showed that SOFA_48-h scores (P<0.001) had a better discriminatory power than blood paraquat concentrations (P=0.01) for predicting ARDS.

Conclusions

The analytical results indicate that SOFA_48-h scores, blood paraquat concentrations, and steroid and cyclophosphamide pulse therapies are significantly associated with ARDS complications after paraquat intoxication.

Prognostic usefulness of eosinopenia in the pediatric intensive care unit

Eosinopenia, a biomarker for infection, has recently been shown to be a predictor of adult mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our study assessed the usefulness of eosinopenia as a mortality and an infection biomarker in the pediatric ICU (PICU). We compared the PICU mortality scores, eosinophil count and percentage at ICU admission between children who survived and those who did not survive and between children with infection and those without infection. A total of 150 patients were evaluated. The initial eosinophil count and percentage were significantly lower in the group that did not survive when compared to those that did survive (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the eosinophil count and percentage seen in patients with and without infection. Eosinopenia, defined as an eosinophil count < 15 cells/µL and an eosinophil percentage < 0.25%, (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.96; P = 0.008) along with a Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM) 2 (HR: 1.03; P = 0.004) were both determined to be independent predictors of mortality in the PICU. The presence of eosinopenia at the ICU admission can be a useful biomarker for mortality in children, but is not useful as a biomarker for infection.

The duration of SIRS before organ failure is a significant prognostic factor of sepsis

Background

The mortality rate of patients complicated with sepsis-associated organ failure remains high in spite of intensive care treatment. The purpose of this study was to define the duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) before organ failure (DSOF) and determine the value of DSOF as a prognostic factor in septic patients.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in an 11-bed medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) in a university hospital. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality of the septic patients.

Results

One hundred ten septic patients with organ failure and/or shock were enrolled in this study. The in-hospital mortality rate was 36.9%. The median DSOF was 28.5 h. As a metric variable, DSOF was a statistically significant prognostic factor according to univariate analysis (survivor: 74.7 ± 9.6 h, non-survivor: 58.8 ± 16.5 h, p = 0.015). On the basis of the ROC curve, we defined an optimal cutoff of 24 h, with which we divided the patients as follows: group 1 (n = 50) comprised patients with a DSOF ≤24 h, and group 2 (n = 60) contained patients with a DSOF >24 h. There were statistically significant differences in the in-hospital mortality rate between the two groups (52.0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.004). Furthermore, by multivariate analysis, DSOF ≤24 h (odds ratio: 5.89, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-23.8, p = 0.013) was a significant independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion

DSOF may be a useful prognostic factor for severe sepsis.