Search

ObjectivesTo evaluate the potential of soluble cluster of differentiation 146 (sCD146) in the detection and grading of congestion in patients with acute dyspnoea.DesignSubanalysis of the prospective observational Lithuanian Echocardiography Study of Dyspnoea in Acute Settings (LEDA) cohort.SettingTwo Lithuanian university centres.ParticipantsAdult patients with acute dyspnoea admitted to the emergency department.MethodsCongestion was assessed using clinical and sonographic parameters. All patients underwent sCD146 and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) testing.ResultsThe median value of sCD146 concentration in the study cohort (n=437) was 405 (IQR 315–509) ng/mL. sCD146 was higher in patients with peripheral oedema than in those without (median (IQR) 472 (373–535) vs 400 (304–501) ng/mL, p=0.009) and with pulmonary rales than in those without (439 (335–528) vs 394 (296–484) ng/mL, p=0.001). We found a parallel increase of estimated right atrial pressure (eRAP) and sCD146 concentration: sCD146 was 337 (300–425), 404 (290–489) and 477 (363–572) ng/mL in patients with normal, moderately elevated and high eRAP, respectively (p=0.001). In patients with low NT-proBNP, high sCD146 distinguished a subgroup with a higher prevalence of oedema as compared with patients with low levels of both biomarkers (76.0% vs 41.0%, p=0.010). Moreover, high sCD146 indicated a higher prevalence of elevated eRAP, irrespective of NT-proBNP concentration (pConclusionsCD146 concentration reflects the degree of intravascular and tissue congestion assessed by clinical and echocardiographic indices, with this association maintained in patients with low NT-proBNP. Our data support the notion that NT-proBNP might represent heart stretch while sCD146 rather represents peripheral venous congestion.