Serum Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and Cardiac Index as Adjunctive Tools of Blunt Cardiac Injury

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to investigate the competence of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) and cardiac index (C.I) as adjunctive diagnostic tools for blunt cardiac injury (BCI).MethodsFrom January 2018 to March 2020, 103 patients with major trauma diagnosed with sternum fracture admitted to the traumatic intensive care unit; 33 patients with factors that could affect NT pro-BNP were excluded. Remained 63 patients included this study. 33 patients were diagnosed with non-BCI, and 30 patients were diagnosed with BCI. The median ages of the patients were 58 (range, 24–77) years, and 60 (range, 19–79) years for the non-BCI and BCI groups (p= 0.773). ResultsWhen comparing value NT pro-BNP of admission, hospital day (HD) 2, and HD 3, there were no differences between the two groups (p= 0.084, p= 0.094 and p= 0.175 respectively). When comparing level of C.I, there were differences on admission, and HD 3 (p= 0.012 and p= 0.001, respectively); however, no significant difference was observed on HD 2 (p= 0.176). In addition, when comparing level of lactate, level of admission, HD 2, and HD 3 showed differences between the two groups (p< 0.001, p< 0.001 and p< 0.001, respectively).ConclusionConsecutive NT pro-BNP, C.I and BCI showed no statistical significance and the values of NT pro-BNP and C.I ​​show no correlation with the diagnosis of BCI. However, lactate level may help as an adjunctive tool for diagnosis of BCI.