Diagnostic value of biochemical biomarkers in malignant and non-malignant pericardial effusion

The aim of this study was to examine the biochemical composition of pericardial effusions of different etiology and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of biochemical parameters and tumor markers to discriminate malignant from benign effusion. Pericardial and serum levels of biochemical parameters and tumor markers were compared in 105 patients who underwent pericardiocentesis and pericardioscopy with targeted epicardial biopsy. Etiologic diagnosis was based on pericardial fluid and epicardial biopsy analysis by cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry, microbiology and polymerase chain reaction. The total of 105 patients comprised 29 patients with malignant and 76 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusions (40 autoreactive, 28 viral, 5 postcardiotomy syndromes and 3 associated with systemic diseases). Malignant pericardial effusions had significantly higher pericardial fluid levels of the tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, SCC and NSE (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively) as well as higher pericardial fluid hemoglobin (p < 0.001), pericardial fluid white blood cells (p = 0.003), pericardial fluid LDH (p < 0.001) and ratio of pericardial to serum LDH levels compared to benign effusions. None of the biochemical or cell-count parameters tested proved to be accurate enough for distinguishing malignant from benign effusions. However, measurement of pericardial CA 72-4 levels offered a high diagnostic accuracy for malignancy, particularly in bloody pericardial effusions. None of the biochemical parameters tested was useful for the discrimination of malignant from benign effusions. However, measurement of pericardial CA 72-4 levels in bloody pericardial effusions yielded a high diagnostic accuracy and thus offers the potential as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between malignant and benign effusions.     

胸水N-末端脑钠肽前体在胸腔积液患者中的诊断价值

目的 探讨检测胸液中N-末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)对于胸腔积液的鉴别诊断价值.方法 选取在本院因胸腔积液而进行诊断性胸腔穿刺的患者126例,根据临床表现、胸液常规检验结果及细胞学分为充血性心力衰竭胸腔积液33例(心源性组)和非心源性组93例(恶性胸腔积液18例、结核性胸腔积液22例、肾功能衰竭性胸腔积液19例、肝硬化腹水伴胸腔积液15例、肺炎性胸腔积液19例).检测2组患者胸水及血浆中NT proBNP水平,分析血浆NT proBNP水平与胸水NT-proBNP的相关性,并采用受试者工作曲线(ROC)计算用于判别胸水性质的最佳界值.结果 心源性组胸水及血浆中的NT-proBNP水平显著高于非心源性组、恶性组、结核组、肾功能衰竭组、肝硬化组和炎症组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);恶性组、结核组、肾功能衰竭组、肝硬化组和炎症组胸水及血浆中NT proBNP水平差异均无统计学意义(P＞0 05);胸水中NT proBNP水平与血浆中NT-proBNP水平呈显著正相关(r=0.894,P＜0.01).绘制ROC曲线结果显示,当胸水中NT-proBNP水平为1 500 ng/L时,鉴别心源性和非心源性胸水具有最大诊断指数(1.757 3),此时敏感度为89.19％、特异度为86.54％.结论 心源性胸腔积液患者胸水中NT-proBNP水平显著升高,与血浆水平呈显著正相关,以1 500 ng/L为界值时,具有鉴别诊断心源性胸水的最高价值.     

Brain natriuretic peptide blood levels in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In dyspneic patients without left ventricular enlargement, it may be difficult to differentiate between obstructive lung disease and diastolic heart failure. Determination of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, known to increase with ventricular stretch, may be of clinical relevance in this situation. We compared the discriminant power of BNP blood levels and of echocardiography in patients with either chronic obstructive lung disease or diastolic heart failure. PATIENTS: Twenty-six New York Heart Association class III dyspneic patients with normal left ventricular systolic function were enrolled: 17 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and 9 patients with unequivocal diastolic heart failure. RESULTS: Echocardiographic data were unable to accurately differentiate between the two groups, whereas BNP levels were significantly and markedly higher in patients with diastolic heart failure when compared to those with obstructive lung disease (224 +/- 240 pg/mL vs 14 +/- 12 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results warrant a prospective, large-scale evaluation of the value of BNP assay for determining diastolic dysfunction, a common cause of dyspnea in elderly patients, and differentiating it from other diagnoses such as obstructive lung disease.     

Brain natriuretic peptide and n-terminal brain natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with acute shortness of breath

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the utility of measurement of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) in the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) in patients with acute dyspnea. BACKGROUND: Plasma BNP is useful in differentiating HF from other causes of dyspnea in the emergency department. The N-terminal component of BNP has a longer half-life, and in HF increases in plasma N-BNP are proportionately greater. METHODS: We studied 205 patients (average age 70 +/- 14 years) presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea. Brain natriuretic peptide was analyzed using a point-of-care test and two locally developed radioimmunoassays. N-terminal BNP was measured using a locally developed radioimmunoassay and a commercially available assay. Final diagnosis of HF was adjudicated by two cardiologists. RESULTS: Patients with HF (n = 70) had higher mean levels of both hormones by all assays (p < 0.001 for all). Results with all assays correlated closely (r values between 0.902 and 0.969). Subjects with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction or left-sided valvular disease but no HF had intermediate levels of BNP and N-BNP (lower than subjects with HF, and higher than subjects without HF with no LV dysfunction or left-sided valvular disease) (p < 0.01 for all). Using optimum cut-offs, specificity for the diagnosis of HF ranged between 70% and 89% (highest for the N-BNP assays). Sensitivity ranged between 80% and 94% (highest for the point-of-care BNP assay). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of BNP or N-BNP is useful in the diagnosis of HF in acute dyspnea. Commercially available assays compare favorably with well-validated laboratory assays. Differences in sensitivity and specificity may influence the assay choice in this setting.     

脑利钠肽和心律失常

脑利钠肽 (brainnatriureticpeptide ,BNP)是一种由心脏分泌的循环激素 ,是利钠肽家族的重要成员之一 ,近年来国内外日益重视BNP对心血管疾病的诊断和预后价值。本文重点就BNP与心律失常的相关研究进展作一综述。一、脑利钠肽的特性和释放机制BNP在 1 988年首先由Sudoh等[1 ] 从猪脑组织中分离出来 ,随后被证实在人类心肌组织中也大量存在。BNP由 32个氨基酸组成 ,其多肽结构和药理学活性与心房利钠肽(atrialnatriureticpeptide,ANP)极为相似 ,也具有利钠、利尿、扩张血管、抑制肾素、醛固酮分泌的作用。在体和离体实验表明 60 %～ …     

The value of serum tumour markers in the prediction of aetiology and follow up of patients with pericardial effusion

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of tumour markers in the differential diagnosis of pericardial effusions and to assess their changing levels during follow up.

Methods

Sixty-nine patients who were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of pericardial effusion were included in the study. Serum tumour markers were measured on admission and after a mean of 18 ± 7 months’ follow up. An aetiological diagnosis was made on clinical evaluation, imaging techniques and biochemical, microbiological and pathological analysis. The patients were divided into five groups according to the aetiology of their pericardial effusions.

Results

Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 12-5 and CA 15-3, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were significantly higher in patients with malignancies than in those with viral/idiopathic pericarditis. With multivariate analysis, CA 15-3 levels were found to be the most significant determinant (p = 0.027). In the ROC curve analysis, CA 15-3 values above 25 U/ml predicted a malignancy with 71% sensitivity and 78% specificity.

Conclusion

Tumour markers, particularly CA 15-3, may be useful in the differential diagnosis and prediction of malignancies in patients with pericardial effusion. In patients with viral/idiopathic aetiology, these serum tumour markers were slightly elevated in the acute phase, but after a mean of one year of follow up, their levels returned to normal, contrary to those with malignancies.     

Adenosine deaminase in the diagnosis of tuberculous pericardial effusion

Not long ago, primary tuberculosis was considered a rare disease; now with an increasing incidence worldwide, physicians should relearn many of its basic aspects and manifestations. Pericarditis is a rare finding seen with tuberculosis, but its prognosis is excellent with treatment, so early diagnosis is crucial. Pathogenesis is particularly important, and it must be taken in consideration when interpreting diagnostic tools. Herein we report on a healthy 32-year-old woman who presents with a 1-month history of febrile illness, malaise, and weakness; more recently, she also had resting dyspnea, which was progressively worsening. A positive PPD and an abnormal chest radiograph prompted hospitalization, where she was found to have pulsus paradoxus of 20 mm Hg. The echocardiogram showed diastolic right chamber collapse along with respiratory variation of the mitral inflow, consistent with pericardial tamponade. A pericardiocentesis was performed with resolution of her resting dyspnea; more than 1000 mL of serous fluid drained from the pericardial space over the following 24 hours. Although sputum and pericardial fluid cultures and smear for AFB and other organisms were negative, as well as a negative pericardial fluid PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA; an elevated (44.4 U/L [normal, 0 to 18]) adenosine deaminase level in the pericardial fluid was consistent with the probable diagnosis of tuberculous pericardial effusion. The patient was treated with resolution of the clinical syndrome and no recurrence of the effusion thereafter. Adenosine deaminase, an enzyme marker of cell-mediated immune response activity to M tuberculosis that includes activated T-lymphocytes and macrophages, appears in pericardial fluid. The diagnosis of probable tuberculous effusion can be made without demonstration of mycobacterium.     

Brain natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular diseases

The natriuretic peptides are a family of related hormones that play an important role in the homeostasis of cardiovascular system. Serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide have recently emerged as a marker for the diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up, and therapy of patients with heart failure (HF) and other cardiovascular diseases. Its diagnostic role is important in valvular heart diseases, such as in severe aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation, and in acute coronary syndromes, right ventricular dysfunction, and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction. The administration of recombinant brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute decompensated HF has been a hot topic for the current clinical practice. Its use in patients with HF has a clinically important intermediate-term benefit without an associated increase in risk. Furthermore, it seems to have an important role in improving the hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to HF and in improving postoperative renal function after coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Brain natriuretic peptide and heart failure

Brain natiuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone secreted specifically by the left ventricular myocytes. Its concentration is correlated with the severity of symptomatic or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. The measurement of BNP has several applications from the screening of populations to the monitoring of the effects of treatment and the evaluation of the prognosis of cardiac failure. The emergence of new methods of rapid measurement will enable its usage as a routine investigation in the near future. Large scale clinical trials are, however, required to confirm the hopes raised by this new marker of left ventricular dysfunction.     

脑钠肽与心力衰竭的诊治

慢性充血性心力衰竭(CHF)是各种病因所致心脏疾病的终末阶段。其临床表现无特异性,诊断带来一定的困难,并给观察疗效、评价预后带来一定程度的不客观性。近年来发现脑钠肽(BNP)可用于CHF的诊断、疗效评价和判断预后,并可能用于临床治疗,将来可能成为传统心力衰竭治疗药物以外的一线药物。本文仅就此做一综述。