What does high NT-proBNP mean in septic shock patients? A part of the puzzle

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) plasma levels are commonly high at the early phase of septic shock and have been suggested to be prognostic markers for this condition. It is uncertain, however, whether this increase reflects sepsis related cardiac dysfunction. In a recent issue of Critical Care, Mokart and coworkers showed the accuracy of NT-proBNP in predicting intensive care unit mortality in cancer patients with septic shock, which could help in identifying high risk cancer patients. Results from repeated transthoracic echocardiographs show that NT-proBNP on day 2 after admission was higher in patients presenting with cardiac dysfunction, whereas NT-proBNP on day 1 did not predict cardiac dysfunction. These data suggest that after an initial overexpression of NT-proBNP in all septic patients, patients with cardiac dysfunction will present persistent high levels of NT-proBNP.