English

Abstract

BACKGROUND : Cardiac failure is one of the most serious and life threatening condition which needs an early diagnosis and prompt management to avoid mortality. 2 D echo serves as a very important tool in confirming the diagnosis of cardiac failure. Many centers in our country still don't have the facility of the same and hence we studied the role of NT pro-BNP as a substitute for 2 D echo. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the level of serum NT pro-BNP with the 2 D echo findings in patients with acute onset dyspnea. METHODS: We studied 100 patients with acute onset dyspnea. Through history and examination was done. 2 d echo was done in all the patients. We measured the baseline level of serum NT Pro BNP in all the patients and a cut off level of 1800pg/ml was kept to compensate for the caveats in the measurement of NT ProBNP. The personnel who did echo were blinded to the result of NT pro- BNP . We compared the 2 D echo findings of the patients with the levels of NT pro-BNP. RESULTS : The ejection fraction, regional wall motion abnormality and diastolic dysfunction had significant correlation with a positive NT-ProBNP level, where as ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary artery systolic pressure had no correlation with the same . CONCLUSIONS: NT pro- BNP level can be used to confirm the diagnosis of cardiac failure state in absence of 2 D echo facilities.