The effects of acute fluid loading on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in a septic shock patient

Abstract

A 64-year-old female patient was admitted to a general intensive care unit with sustained hypotension resulting from severe sepsis. Her admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was elevated (407 pg/ml), and echocardiogram displayed normal ventricular dimensions and function. The right ventricular end-diastolic diameter increased with acute fluid loading, and this coincided with a parallel increase in B-type natriuretic peptide. Subsequent fluid depletion was accompanied by a reduction in both right ventricular end-diastolic diameter and B-type natriuretic peptide. The present case indicates that acute fluid loading may alter plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and highlights the importance of taking the clinical context into account when interpreting these levels.