Abstract: Objective To explore the diagnostic value of combined bedside detection of aminoterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the diagnosis of cardiac dyspnea. Methods A total of 120 patients with dyspnea admitted in our department from June 2014 to February 2016 were included in this study. At the time of admission, NT-proBNP and cTnI levels were measured by bedside test. Values of NT-proBNP＞ 300 ng/L or cTnI＞ 0.16 mg/L were defined as positive for cardiac dyspnea. According to the final diagnosis, patients were divided into two groups: cardiac dyspnea group (n=68) and pulmonary dyspnea group (n=52). At the same time, 30 healthy people were selected as control group. Values of NT-proBNP and cTnI were used for statistical analysis between the three groups. The sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP, cTnI and cTnI+NT-proBNP were compared between three groups. Results The levels of NTproBNP and cTnI were significantly higher in pulmonary dyspnea group and cardiac dyspnea group than those in the control group, and the levels were significantly higher in cardiac dyspnea group than those of pulmonary dyspnea group (P<0.01). The detection sensitivity of NT-proBNP and cTnI alone was 67.65% and 52.94%, combined detection of both was up to 94.12%. The specificity of NT-proBNP and cTnI detection alone was 70.00% and 53.33%, respectively, and combined detection of both was up to 86.67%. The sensitivity of NT-proBNP+cTnI was significantly higher than that of NT-proBNP and cTnI alone (P＜ 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the specificity between combined detection and individual detection of NT-proBNP. The positive predictive value of the combined detection in the diagnosis of cardiac dyspnea was 94.12% (64/68), and the negative predictive value was 86.67% (26/30). Conclusion Bedside detection with combination of cTnI and NT-proBNP has important clinical application value in the rapid diagnosis of cardiac dyspnea, which is a rapid clinical testing method

Key words: dyspnea, diagnosis, differential, sensitivity and specificity, N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin, pulmonary dyspnea, cardiac dyspnea