N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide is a biomarker of myocardial stress in abdominal sepsis and septic shock

Aim. To evaluate the dynamics and prognostic significance of serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level in patients with severe abdominal sepsis. Methods. We analysed survey data of 54 patients (28 men and 26 women) aged 64.5 years [56.25–78.00] with abdominal sepsis or septic shock. Disease severity scored according to the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II criteria was 16.3 ± 0.8 and according to the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) was 3 [3–6]. Statistical analysis of these data was performed using correlation analysis, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results. Serum NT-proBNP level during the 1st week following admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) exceeded normal values, i.e. 2,570 [116.25–6,559.5] to 4,600 [1,680–18,200] pg/ml. At all disease stages, serum NT-proBNP level correlated with sepsis severity scores (SOFA), procalcitonin (PCT) levels, lactatemia, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and inotropic and vasoactive–inotropic scales (rho = 0.329–0.433; p < 0.02). On ICU days 3–4, serum NT-proBNP level of >5100 pg/ml was associated with increased risk of mortality [65.6%–88.2%; area under the curve (AUC) = 0.806; р < 0.0001]. Similarly, during this interval, elevated serum NT-proBNP level was associated with the use of inotropic drugs (OR = 1.0001, 95% CI = 1.000–1.0002, p < 0.0059). Notably, we found that 76.9%–79.0% of the patients with serum NT-proBNP level of >5250 pg/ml were receiving inotropic drugs including adrenaline, dopamine and dobutamine. We were unable to identify a specific association between serum NT-proBNP level and norepinephrine administration. On ICU days 7 and 8, among patients with serum NT-proBNP level of >3450 pg/ml, we observed a very close relationship between serum NT-proBNP level and PCT (sensitivity = 63.6%, specificity = 66.7%, AUC = 0.708; р = 0.0041). Conclusion. Serum NT-proBNP level is considerably elevated in patients with abdominal sepsis or septic shock. NT-proBNP level was associated with both traditional indicators of sepsis severity and indicators characterising the state of systemic circulation. Notably, serum NT-proBNP level correlates with cardiac failure and inotropic drug requirement. Although the mechanisms underlying the observed increases in serum NT-proBNP level remain unclear, the present findings indicate that this mediator is clearly a significant biomarker and predictor of adverse outcomes related to abdominal sepsis and septic shock. Received 22 January 2020. Revised 27 January 2020. Accepted 11 February 2020. Funding: The study did not have sponsorship. Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest. Author contributions Conception and study design: I.N. Tyurin, D.N. Protsenko, I.A. Kozlov Data collection and analysis: I.N. Tyurin, S.A. Rautbart, S.N. Shurygin Statistical analysis: I.N. Tyurin, S.A. Rautbart Drafting the article: I.N. Tyurin, D.N. Protsenko, I.A. Kozlov, S.N. Shurygin Critical revision of the article: I.N. Tyurin, I.A. Kozlov Final approval of the version to be published: I.N. Tyurin, S.A. Rautbart, D.N. Protsenko, S.N. Shurygin, I.A. Kozlov