Diagnostic value of NT-PRO BNP in cardiogenic and non cardiogenic pleural effusion

The finding of an exudative effusion usually requires an extensive diagnostic workup, leading to an unnecessary exposure to invasive and expensive diagnostic procedures. Thus a strategy of identifying pleural effusions due to heart failure and possibly avoiding unnecessary diagnostic thoracentesis and/or further diagnostic procedures would be an attractive and potentially beneficial approach [6]. NT-proBNP measured in serum is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction and proven to be a useful tool in the diagnosis of acute and chronic systolic and diastolic left ventricular heart failure [7, 8]. The present study was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in the differentiation of cardiogenic and non cardiogenic pleural effusion. Forty patients with pleural effusion were included in this study. Twenty patients with cardiogenic pleural effusions [pleural effusion due to cardiac cause] and 20 patients with non cardiogenic pleural effusions [pleural effusion due to non cardiac cause]. All patients were subjected to full history, clinical examination, investigation to detect the etiology of the pleural effusion and measurement of serum and pleural fluid NT-proBNP. In this study we found that pleural fluid NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with cardiogenic pleural effusions than that of patients with non cardiogenic pleural effusions [Mean +/- SEM, 5231 +/- 671.1 and 628.8 +/- 120.1 respectively, P value < 0.0001]. Also NT-proBNP levels in the serum of the patients with cardiogenic pleural effusions were significantly higher than that of patients with non cardiogenic pleural effusions [Mean +/- SEM, 4792 +/- 612.7, and 604.0 +/- 120.1 respectively, P value < 0.0001]. There was also a highly significant positive correlation between NT-proBNP levels in serum and pleural fluid Spearman's Coefficient of rank correlation is 0.992 [p < 0.0001]. We found also that at a cut-off value of 1.591 pg/ml, pleural fluid NT-proBNP level had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 90% in the diagnosis of cardiogenic pleural effusion. Also at a cut off value of 1570 pg/ml, serum NT-proBNP level had a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 90% in the diagnosis of cardiogenic pleural effusion. It is concluded that serum and pleural fluid NT-proBNP levels are very useful in establishing the diagnosis of cardiogenic pleural effusions

Study of 2-min walk test and 15-step exercise oximetry test in the assessment of exercise tolerance in Egyptian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseass

The present study was conducted to study the 2-min walk test and 15-step exercise oximetry test in determination of exercise tolerance in Egyptian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sixty male patients with COPD were included in this study who were divided into three groups [mild, moderate and severe]. All of the patients were subjected cardio pulmonary exercise test using ramp protocol, 6 min walk test, 2-min walk test and 15 step exercise oximetry test. In this study we found significant difference between mild, moderate and severe groups as regards VO2% predicted, distance walked during 6-MWT, distance walked during 2-MWT, and saturation difference% and exercise time/s during 15-step exercise oximetry test [p value <0.05].We found also significant correlation between 2-MWT and 6-MWT and VO2 in the mild, moderate and severe groups. [r = 0.9 and 0.85, respectively for the mild, r = 0.52 and 0.48, respectively for the moderate and r = 0.94 and 0.45, respectively for the severe p <0.05 for all]. We did not find such correlation between exercise time in 15-step exercise oximetry test and both 6-MWT and VO2 in the three groups. [r = -0.066 and -0.067, respectively for the mild, r = -0.08 and -0.07, respectively for the moderate and r = -0.07 and -0.021, respectively for the severe, P > 0.05 for all]. Also there was non-significant correlation between saturation difference in 15-step exercise oximetry test and both 6-MWT and VO2 in the three groups[r = -0.371 and -0.378, respectively for the mild, r = -0.086 and -0.061, respectively for the moderate and r = -0.051 and -0.013, respectively for the severe p > 0.05 for all]. The study shows that the 2MWT is a valid test for the assessment of exercise capacity in patients with COPD. It is practical, simple, and well-tolerated by patients with severe COPD