Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using pleural fluid NT-proBNP to tell heart from other causes of cat
By Humm, K et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2013·The Royal Veterinary College·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Differentiating between feline pleural effusions of cardiac and non-cardiac origin using pleural fluid NT-proBNP concentrations.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 40 cats with fluid buildup in their chest (pleural effusion) was studied to find out if a specific test could tell if the cause was heart-related or not. Researchers measured a substance called NT-proBNP in the cats' blood and pleural fluid. They found that higher levels of NT-proBNP in both blood and pleural fluid were linked to heart problems, with specific cut-off values that could help vets make a diagnosis. This test can help veterinarians determine the cause of pleural effusion, leading to better treatment options for affected cats.
People also search for: cat pleural effusion causes · cat heart problems symptoms · NT-proBNP test for cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess whether pleural fluid and urine amino terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) can distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac causes of pleural effusion. METHODS: Blood, urine and pleural fluid were prospectively collected from cats presenting with pleural effusion categorised as cardiac or non-cardiac in origin. NT-ProBNP concentrations were measured using a feline-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Groups were statistically compared and receiver operating characteristic curves constructed to determine cut-offs to distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac pleural effusion in plasma, pleural fluid and urine. RESULTS: Forty cats with pleural effusion (22 cardiac and 18 non-cardiac) were studied. NT-proBNP concentrations in plasma and pleural fluid were strongly correlated. Plasma (P<0·001) and pleural fluid (P<0·001) NT-proBNP concentrations and urinary NT-proBNT/creatinine ratios (P=0·035) were significantly higher in the cardiac group. After receiver operating characteristic curve analysis a plasma NT-proBNP cut-off of 214·3 pmol/mL was suggested [sensitivity=86·4% (95% CI: 66·7 to 95·3%), specificity=88·9% (95% CI: 67·2 to 96·9%)] and a pleural fluid NT-proBNP cut-off of 322·3 pmol/mL was suggested [sensitivity=100% (95% CI: 85·1 to 100%), specificity=94·4% (95% CI: 74·2 to 99·0%)]. No cut-off with adequate sensitivity and specificity for urinary NT-proBNP/creatinine ratios was suggested. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Measurement of NT-proBNP in pleural fluid distinguishes cardiac from non-cardiac causes of pleural effusion in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24283418/