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Cardiac dysfunction and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Intern Med J. 2013 May;43(5):595-8
Authors: Lee MH, Chang CL, Davies AR, Davis M, Hancox RJ
Abstract
Elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptides among patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with higher mortality. The pathophysiology is unclear. To establish if elevated levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are due to right or left heart dysfunction, we performed echocardiograms in 18 patients admitted to hospital with COPD. Elevated levels of NT-proBNP were associated with both right and left heart dysfunction and indicate that these patients have biventricular dysfunction rather than isolated right ventricular compromise.
PMID: 23668272 [PubMed - in process]