Use of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to detect acute cardiac dysfunction during weaning failure in difficult-to-wean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease*

Abstract

Serial measurements of NT-proBNP plasma levels provided a noninvasive manner to detect acute cardiac dysfunction during an unsuccessful weaning trial in difficult to wean patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The utility of this test as a complement of the standard clinical monitoring of the weaning trial deserves further investigation.