B-type natriuretic peptide may be unsuitable for diagnosing central acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

We describe a case of a 90-year-old male admitted to the emergency department with deep vein thrombosis and central acute pulmonary embolism. Despite a remarkably increased value of D-dimer and a modestly elevated concentration of cardiac troponin I, the value of B-type natriuretic peptide was found to be non-diagnostic. Limited to this single case report, our evidence suggests that the measurement of natriuretic peptides is questionable for diagnosing central acute pulmonary embolism in the emergency department.