Diagnostic utility of B-type natriuretic peptide in critically ill patients with pulmonary edema: a prospective cohort study

54 critically ill patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory distress, bilateral pulmonary edema, and a central venous catheter suggesting either high-pressure (cardiogenic) or low-pressure (ALI/ARDS) pulmonary edema (33 with ALI/ARDS, 21 with cardiogenic edema). Exclusions: renal failure requiring dialysis, intracranial hemorrhage or elevated intracranial pressure, history of cardiac surgery within 2 months, nesiritide infusion, pregnant women, and persistent symptoms for >2 weeks.

Measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels within 48 hours of ICU admission and daily for up to 3 consecutive days.

Diagnostic utility of BNP to distinguish ALI/ARDS from cardiogenic edema (measured by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve) and correlation with invasive hemodynamic measurements (right atrial pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure).surrogate