Predicting mortality and hospital admission in patients with COPD: significance of NT pro-BNP, clinical and echocardiographic assessment

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2011 Sep;12(9):613-8. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e3283491780.

Abstract

Aims: To quantify the ability of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) to predict mortality and hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease (COPD).

Methods: Prospective single-centre observational study of 140 consecutive patients aged at least 18 years with COPD between 27 March 2004 and 28 February 2008 (median follow-up 3.9 years).

Results: Sixty-five (46%) men, 26 (19%) O2 therapy, 115 (82%) smokers, 38 (27%) patients receiving diuretics, 15 (11%) left-ventricular ejection fraction less than 45%. Median [interquartile range (IQR)] NT pro-BNP concentration 16.2 (25.4) pmol/l. NT pro-BNP was higher in those with a dilated left atrium (P<0.001), aortic stenosis (P=0.02), left-ventricular systolic dysfunction (P=0.027), right ventricular impairment (P=0.011), atrial fibrillation (P<0.001), patients receiving diuretics (P=0.010) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (P=0.006). One-year mortality and hospitalization rates were 2.9 and 25.4%. The median (IQR) time to hospitalization and length of first hospital stay: 383.5 (605) and 4.0 (7.0) days. NT pro-BNP was an excellent discriminator of right-ventricular impairment (C statistic=0.90) and predicted survival (highest quartile versus lowest quartile relative risk=3.02, P=0.001), but not hospital admission. After adjustment this association was not significant.

Conclusion: NT pro-BNP predicts survival, but not hospital admission in patients with COPD. The ability of NT pro-BNP to independently predict death or hospitalization is superseded by the presence of a dilated left atrium, aortic stenosis and left-ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / therapy
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Echocardiography, Doppler*
  • England
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Length of Stay
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood*
  • Patient Admission*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / blood
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications*
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / mortality
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / therapy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain