Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Integration of Brain Tissue Saturation Monitoring in Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Heart Failure
Published on: October 1, 2019
Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide: a prognostic marker in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
Su Young Chi1, Eun Young Kim, Hee Jung Ban
1Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, 671 Jaebongro, Dongku, Kwangju 501-757, Korea.
Background:
Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels are elevated in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease with right ventricular overload. The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of plasma NT-proBNP levels as a prognostic marker of severe COPD with chronic respiratory failure and latent pulmonary hypertension.
Methods:
Plasma NT-proBNP levels were measured in 61 patients with stable COPD. Plasma NT-proBNP levels, pulmonary function, PaO(2), and PaCO(2) levels and systolic pulmonary artery pressure were compared according to COPD severity. In addition, we examined correlations between plasma NT-proBNP levels and pulmonary function, PaO(2), PaCO(2), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure.
Results:
The levels of plasma NT-proBNP significantly increased in patients with stage IV and stage III COPD compared to individuals with stage II COPD according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of plasma NT-proBNP for severe to very severe COPD (FEV(1) <50%) was 0.707 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.566-0.847, P=0.008). Plasma NT-proBNP levels significantly correlated with %FEV(1) (r= -0.557; P < 0.001), arterial blood gas parameters such as PaCO(2) (r = 0.476; P < 0.001) and PaO(2) (r = -0.347; P = 0.031), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.435; P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
Plasma NT-proBNP levels increased significantly with disease severity, progression of chronic respiratory failure, and secondary pulmonary hypertension in patients with stable COPD. These results suggest that plasma NT-proBNP can be a useful prognostic marker to monitor COPD progression and identify cases of secondary pulmonary hypertension in patients with stable COPD.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
01:18Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...