Biomarker-based strategy for screening right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-massive pulmonary embolism

To evaluate the usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide and troponin I measurements in predicting right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in non-massive pulmonary embolism.

Prospective observational study.

University-affiliated emergency unit, cardiology and pneumology departments.

Sixty-seven patients admitted because of acute pulmonary embolism, without shock on admission, completed the study.

Blood samples and echocardiography were obtained on admission for subsequent and independent assessment of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin I levels as well as RVD.

Echocardiographic RVD was diagnosed in 36 patients and was severe in 13 on admission. BNP and troponin I levels were higher in patients with RVD than in those with no RVD [62 (27–105) vs. 431 (289–556) pg/ml for BNP, p < 0.001; 0.01 (0–0.09) vs. 0.16 (0.03–0.32) μg/l for troponin I, p = 0.005]. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (AUC) for diagnosing RVD was 0.93 for BNP and 0.72 for troponin I. The troponin I level increased further when RVD was severe, compared with moderate, and the AUC was 0.91 for identifying severe RVD. Diagnoses of RVD and severe RVD were ruled out by BNP ≤ 100 pg/ml (30% of patients) and troponin I 0.10 μg/l (58% of patients), respectively. In-hospital death or circulatory failure occurred in nine patients; all had echographic RVD and level of BNP > 100 pg/ml and troponin I > 0.10 μg/l.

In hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism, BNP/troponin I measurement is helpful on admission, especially for ruling out RVD, i. e. patients with in-hospital high-risk.