Changes in biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cardiac dysfunction is associated with a higher mortality in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown how the heart responds to treatment of COPD exacerbations. We followed cardiac biomarker levels during hospital admissions for exacerbations of COPD and hypothesised that these biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction might be affected the severity and treatment of exacerbations of COPD.

Biochemical markers of cardiac dysfunction predict mortality in acute exacerbations of COPD.

Background: Retrospective studies suggest that plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T are often elevated in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are associated with increased mortality. These cardiac biomarkers were investigated in an unselected cohort of patients admitted to hospital with exacerbations of COPD.

Methods: Consecutive patients with physician-diagnosed COPD exacerbation but without clinical evidence of acute cardiac disease admitted to a public hospital over a 1 year period were studied prospectively.

Predicting early mortality in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the CURB65 score.

Background And Objective: Hospitalization for exacerbation of COPD is associated with a high risk of mortality. A risk-prediction model using information easily obtained on admission could help to identify high-risk individuals. The CURB65 score was developed to predict mortality risk in community acquired pneumonia.