Use of Procalcitonin for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Patients Presenting with a Chief Complaint of Dyspnoea: Results from the BACH (Biomarkers in Acute Heart Failure) Trial

Abstract

Procalcitonin may aid in the diagnosis of pneumonia, particularly in cases with high diagnostic uncertainty. Importantly, PCT may aid in the decision to administer antibiotic therapy to patients presenting with AHF in which clinical uncertainty exists regarding a superimposed bacterial infection.