BNP in PE
The relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) increase in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and the increase in mortality and morbidity has frequently been suggested in small studies.
Methods: Twelve relevant studies involving a total of 868 patients with acute PE at baseline were included in the meta-analysis using a random-effects model.
Studies were excluded if they were performed in patients without certitude of PE or in a subset of patients with cardiogenic shock.
Results:
- Elevated BNP levels were significantly associated with short-term all-cause mortality,with death resulting from pulmonary embolism, and with serious adverse events.
- The corresponding positive and negative predictive values for death were 14% and 99%, respectively.
Conclusions:This meta-analysis indicates that while elevated BNP levels can help to identify patients with acute pulmonary embolism at high risk of death and adverse outcome events, the high negative predictive value of normal BNP levels is certainly more useful for clinicians to select patients with a likely uneventful follow-up.
Reference: click to get abstract
Prognostic Value of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Acute Pulmonary Embolism - Critical Care 2008, 12:R109
