Open AccessSerum Brain Natriuretic Peptide Level in a Patient With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure
Author(s) -
Ghitelman Jaime,
Krumerman Drew,
Latif Farhana,
Le Jemtel Thierry H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
congestive heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7133
pISSN - 1527-5299
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-5299.2004.03248.x
Subject(s) - medicine , decompensation , heart failure , exacerbation , copd , natriuretic peptide , cardiology , brain natriuretic peptide , respiratory distress , respiratory failure , pulmonary disease , surgery
A 52‐year‐old woman with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure presented in respiratory distress. Physical examination could not differentiate COPD exacerbation from chronic heart failure decompensation. As her serum B‐type natriuretic peptide level was 1030 pg/mL, she was initially treated for chronic heart failure decompensation. Serum B‐type natriuretic peptide level fell to 308 pg/mL, but respiratory distress persisted. She was then treated with intravenous solumedrol for COPD exacerbation. Respiratory distress rapidly resolved. Serum B‐type natriuretic peptide level is useful to detect heart failure in the presence of COPD but does not substitute for clinical judgment to initiate proper management.