Prognostic value of plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide levels in the acute respiratory distress syndrome*

Abstract

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome suffer from profound cardiac and pulmonary derangement, including right ventricular strain and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, which may potentially alter concentrations of cardiac natriuretic peptides. We sought to determine whether N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are elevated in acute respiratory distress syndrome and whether they can serve as a marker of prognosis in this setting. Prospective study. Tertiary-care academic medical center. One hundred seventy-seven acute respiratory distress syndrome subjects enrolled in a prospective intensive care unit cohort. None. NT-proBNP was measured from blood taken within 48 hrs of acute respiratory distress syndrome onset. Patients were followed for the primary outcome of 60-day mortality and secondary outcomes of organ dysfunction and ventilator-free days. Seventy patients died (40%). Median NT-proBNP level was 3181 ng/L (interquartile range 723-9246 ng/L). NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher among nonsurvivors (p p NT-proBNP levels are elevated among acute respiratory distress syndrome patients and parallel the severity of the syndrome and likelihood for morbidity and mortality. This demonstrates the potential utility of this biomarker for prognosis in this disease.