Association between elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels and weaning failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular dysfunction has been reported as an important mechanism of weaning failure, and recent data suggest that elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels is associated with an increased risk of weaning failure. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between elevated BNP levels and weaning failure in critically ill patients subject to mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A systematic search in Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science was performed up to September 25, 2019. Standard mean differences (SMD) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the BNP levels were calculated for each study. RESULTS: Nine studies with a total number of 589 were included in the final meta-analysis. The results showed that elevated BNP levels were significantly associated with the risk of weaning failure (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.47 to 1.05, P < .00001). The finding was consistent with the BNP measured before (SMD: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.26 to 1.11, P = .002) or at the end of spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) (SMD: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.18, P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that increased plasma BNP concentration was associated with weaning failure in ICU patients.