The clinical value of procalcitonin in elderly patients with acute left heart failure and community-acquired pneumonia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical value of procalcitonin in the assessment of disease state, antibiotic administration and prognosis in elderly patients with acute left heart failure and community-acquired pneumonia. Methods Elderly patients were divided into two groups, with 41 in the acute left heart failure and community-acquired pneumonia group(the HF+ P group)and 36 in the acute left heart failure group(the HF group). Data on PCT, BNP and cardiac Doppler ultrasonography were collected for all patients, and the two groups were compared for differences in dynamic changes of PCT, length of hospitalization and severity of illness.In addition, data from the HF+ P group were analyzed for any potential association of PCT with CURB-65 scores, duration of antibiotic administration, length of hospitalization or severity of illness. Results Compared with the HF group, the HF+ P group showed higher PCT and longer hospitalization.In the HF+ P group, PCT levels were positively correlated with CURB-65 scores.As PCT levels increased, the duration of intravenous antibiotic administration and the length of hospitalization also increased.For those with PCT>0.5 μg/L, 5 patients exhibited aggravated severity of illness. Conclusions PCT is closely related to disease severity in elderly patients with acute left heart failure and community acquired pneumonia and can be used as a parameter for antibiotic administration and assessment of prognosis in this type of patients. Key words: Heart failure; Pneumonia; Calcitonin