Serum Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels and Cardiac Index as Adjunctive Tools of Blunt Cardiac Injury

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the competence of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) and cardiac index (C.I) as adjunctive diagnostic tools for blunt cardiac injury (BCI). Methods: From January 2018 to March 2020, 103 patients with major trauma diagnosed with sternum fracture admitted to the traumatic intensive care unit; 33 patients with factors that could affect NT pro-BNP were excluded. Remained 63 patients included this study. 33 patients were diagnosed with non-BCI, and 30 patients were diagnosed with BCI. The median ages of the patients were 58 (range, 24–77) years, and 60 (range, 19–79) years for the non-BCI and BCI groups ( p = 0.773). Results: When comparing value NT pro-BNP of admission, hospital day (HD) 2, and HD 3, there were no differences between the two groups ( p = 0.084, p = 0.094 and p = 0.175 respectively). When comparing level of C.I, there were differences on admission, and HD 3 ( p = 0.012 and p = 0.001, respectively); however, no significant difference was observed on HD 2 ( p = 0.176). In addition, when comparing level of lactate, level of admission, HD 2, and HD 3 showed differences between the two groups ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Consecutive NT pro-BNP, C.I and BCI showed no statistical significance and the values of NT pro-BNP and C.I ​​show no correlation with the diagnosis of BCI. However, lactate level may help as an adjunctive tool for diagnosis of BCI.