Reply: Incremental value of B-type natriuretic peptide for early risk prediction of infective endocarditis

摘要

We agree with Biteker and colleagues that the inherent limitations of our observational study should be considered. In our study, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured at the discretion of the attending emergency department physician, favoring potential selection bias. Nevertheless, out of 117 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department with endocarditis, BNP was not measured only in approximately 10% of them, minimizing selection bias. The addition of hs-troponin may be a useful tool for risk assessment in endocarditis patients,1 as well as other biomarkers alone or in combination.