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What cardiologists do need to know about procalcitonin

Mueller, C. and Christ-Crain, M. and Muller, B.. (2005) What cardiologists do need to know about procalcitonin. Clinical Laboratory, 51 (1-2). pp. 1-4.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/56677/

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Abstract

This review will highlight the potential application of procalcitonin, a novel marker of systemic bacterial infection, in two clinical settings relevant to cardiologists: infective endocarditis (IE) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI): The variability in the clinical presentation of infective endocarditis (IE) makes the diagnosis a clinical challenge. However, rapid diagnosis and initiation of effective treatment are essential to good patient outcome. Serum calcitonin precursor levels, including procalcitonin, are elevated in systemic bacterial infections and seem to be helpful in the diagnosis of IE. The utility of procalcitonin in clinical practice was examined in a prospective cohort of patients with the suspicion of IE. Procalcitonin was significantly higher in patients with IE (median 6.56 microg/L) as compared with patients with other final diagnoses (median 0.44 microg/L, p or =0.5 or < or =0.25 microg/L), respectively. Final diagnoses included pneumonia (36%), acute exacerbation of COPD (25%), and acute bronchitis (24%). Clinical and laboratory outcome was similar in both groups and favourable in 96.7%. In the procalcitonin group, the adjusted relative risk of antibiotic exposure was 0.49 (p > 0.001), as compared to the standard group. Thus, using a sensitive assay, procalcitonin-guidance substantially and safely reduced antibiotic usage in LRTI.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Allgemeine innere Medizin AG > Argovia Professur für Medizin (Müller)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Allgemeine innere Medizin AG > Argovia Professur für Medizin (Müller)
UniBasel Contributors:Müller, Beat
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Further Journal Contribution
Publisher:Clinical Laboratory Publications
ISSN:1433-6510
e-ISSN:1433-6510
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal item
Identification Number:
Last Modified:17 Nov 2017 12:53
Deposited On:17 Nov 2017 12:53

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