Correlation of Copeptin with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism

Aim: In this study, we aimed to compare copeptin with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I for predicting severity and 3-month mortality in acute PE in the emergency department (ED). Material and Methods: All ED patients older than 18 years who were confirmed to have acute PE within six hours of diagnostic work-up were enrolled and prospectively screened. Risk stratification was made according to the 2014 European Society of Cardiology guideline on PE. The study endpoints were defined as 3-month mortality, presence of non-low risk PE, and presence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of medians. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine the best cut-off values of copeptin and NT-proBNP. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study enrolled 82 patients. Twelve patients who died during 3 months had higher concentrations of NT-proBNP and copeptin, but not troponin I. The AUCs of NT-proBNP and copeptin to accurately predict the 3-month mortality were 0.73 0.09 (95% CI, 0.62 -0.82; p = 0.013) and 0.78 0.09 (95% CI, 0.68 -0.86; p = 0.003), respectively. Low-risk patients, according to Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index, had lower concentrations of copeptin and NT-proBNP compared to intermediate-high risk patients. All three markers discriminated the presence of RV dysfunction truly. Discussion: Copeptin correlates with NT-proBNP and appears beneficial for early risk stratification of acute pulmonary embolism in the ED.