Acute cardiac dyspnea in the emergency department: diagnostic value of N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide and galectin-3:

ObjectiveThis study was performed to determine whether a dual-biomarker approach using N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and galectin-3 optimizes the diagnosis and risk stratification of acute cardiac dyspnea. Atypical clinical manifestations and overlapping pathologies require objective and effective diagnostic methods to avoid treatment delays.MethodsThis prospective observational study included 208 patients who presented to the emergency department for acute dyspnea. NT-proBNP and galectin-3 were measured upon admission. The patients were divided into two groups according to the etiology of their clinical manifestations: cardiac and non-cardiac dyspnea. The patients’ New York Heart Association functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction, and discharge status were assessed.ResultsDiagnostic criteria for acute heart failure were fulfilled in 61.1% of the patients. NT-proBNP and galectin-3 were strongly and significantly correlated. Receiver operating characteristic a...