The utility of NT-proBNP marker in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension in COPD elderly patients.

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent, unfavorable complication for the evolution of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is important to have a simple and available test to determine COPD patients with increased pulmonary pressure. NT-proBNP may meet these criteria. However, there is limited information on the role of NT-proBNP in assessing PH in elderly patients with COPD. <bold>Aim:</bold> The study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the NT-proBNP marker in detecting HP in elderly patients with COPD. <bold>Methods:</bold> In the study, 194 COPD patients aged over 65 years were enrolled. Patients with evident and significant left-sided heart pathologies, arrhythmias, and renal failure were excluded. Every subject underwent echocardiography, pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk tests, arterial blood gases, and ECG. The plasma value of NT-proBNP was measured. <bold>Results:</bold> Patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group consisted of 97 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and PH (Sistolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) > 35 mm Hg), and the second group included 97 subjects with acute exacerbation of COPD without PH (sPAP < 35 mm Hg). The value of NT-proBNP in group 1 was truthfully higher than the same index in group two (1807.16±91.5 pg/mL and 138.65±8.3 pg/mL, respectively; p<0.001). Correlation analysis found a strong direct proportional association between NT-proBNP and sPAP values (ρ=0.820, p<0.001) <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Plasma NT-proBNP may be a useful prognostic marker of COPD progression and may help identify cases of secondary PH in COPD elderly patients.