COMPARATIVE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF CARDIAC BIOMARKERS IN NORMOTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

In non -high risk, normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism, elevated cardiac biomarkers can predict an increased early mortality risk. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of blood biomarkers determined at initial presentation for death or serious adverse events. We studied 75 consecutive normotensive patients with confirmed acute pulmonary thrombembolism and analysed correlations between biomarker levels and the occurrence of death or a complicated clinical course. Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels showed a strong predictive power and a cutoff value of 5300 ng/mL could be used to separate low and high-risk patients for adverse outcomes. Other biomarkers were not associated with an increased risk. Elevated blood N- terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels at presentation are associated with an increased increase risk of 30-day mortality or complicated in-hospital course in normotensive, non-high risk patients with acute pulmonary embolism.