SummaryBackgroundNatriuretic peptides are considered as reliable indicators of left-heart failure (HF) and are useful for differential diagnosis of dyspnoea.AimWe evaluated the clinical significance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF).MethodsIn 60 patients with CHRF, plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP were assessed at baseline and after treatment including non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The relationship of NT-proBNP to disease severity and its predictive value for survival were evaluated up to 4 years.ResultsNT-proBNP levels were markedly elevated in patients with CHRF (n=60; geometric mean (SD) 546.4 (4.9)pg/mL; p722pg/mL (67th percentile) and no adherence to NIV displayed poor prognosis (hazard ratio=0.21; 95%-CI=0.022–0.580; p=0.0091).ConclusionsNT-proBNP was highly elevated in patients with CHRF and correlated with the degree of respiratory impairment and exacerbation. Correspondingly, treatment including NIV led to reduction of NT-proBNP. These data indicate a potential role of NT-proBNP in assessing disease severity, treatment efficacy and prognosis in CHRF.
