Objective: To describe plasma BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) levels and analyze their relationship with select paraclinical parameters and the severity of acute exacerbations of COPD.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 222 COPD patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations from August 2024 to July 2025 at Hai Duong Lung Hospital with the results of BNP (Access II), blood gas (Gastat 1820) and biochemistry (AU400) tests.
Results: The mean plasma BNP level was 580.5 ± 875.0 pg/mL, with a median of 181.0 pg/mL (range: 6–4734 pg/mL). The proportion of patients with elevated BNP levels (>100 pg/mL) was 66.2%. BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with severe exacerbations compared to those with moderate exacerbations (p < 0.01). Patients with elevated BNP had a significantly higher risk of severe exacerbations than those with normal BNP levels (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.24–4.09). Elevated BNP levels were significantly associated with acidemia, increased neutrophil percentage (NEU%), hyperglycemia, elevated creatinine, and hypoalbuminemia (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Plasma BNP levels are elevated in COPD patients, particularly during severe acute exacerbations, and correlate with blood gas, hematologic, and biochemical markers. BNP testing should be routinely utilized at provincial treatment facilities to support severity assessment and improve the management of acute COPD exacerbations.