UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Serum Markers of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in PE

Category: Vascular

Keywords: PE, Right Ventricular Dysfunction (PubMed Search)

Posted: 7/30/2007 by Rob Rogers, MD (Updated: 12/12/2024)
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Elevation of Troponin I and BNP have been shown to be reliable serum markers of right ventricular dysfuncion in pulmonary embolism. Two pearls: 1. Don't forget PE in patients with chest pain and or dyspnea who have elevated troponins. 2. Elevation of serum BNP and Troponin in PE has been linked to worse outcomes. Get that ECHO early and consider lytics for PE patients who have elevated biomarkers.