use of certain cardiac biomarkers in neonatal calves with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ards), characterized by heightened respiratory effort, impaires oxygen exchange, and consequent hypoxia, is a leading cause of mortality in calves. hypoxia associated with respiratory distress compromises cellular oxygen delivery and reduces tissue perfusion, thereby adversely affecting cardiac function. objectives: this study aimed to evaluate cardiac injury and the compressive stress load induced by hypoxia in neonatal calves with ards, thereby offering insights into potential management strategies.methods: out of 68 neonatal calves presented to the animal hospital for diagnosis, treatment, or routine examination, 25 were included in this study (15 in the ards group, 10 in the healthy group). after clinical examinations, arterial blood samples were collected from all animals for ards diagnosis. in contrast, venous blood samples were obtained for cardiac troponin i (ctni) and n-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (nt-probnp) measurements. results: results indicated that arterial ph, partial pressure of oxygen, and oxygen saturation levels in calves with ards were significantly lower compared to healthy ones, whereas partial pressure of carbon dioxide and lactate levels were significantly elevated. serum ctni levels were significantly higher in calves with ards compared to healthy calves, while nt-probnp levels were elevated, though not statistically significant. although nt-probnp did not demonstrate statistical significance in diagnosing ards, ctni showed significant diagnostic value for ards, with an optimal cut-off value of 86.61 pg/ml (sensitivity: 72.7%, specificity: 100%). conclusion: cardiac damage, as indicated by elevated ctni levels, occurs in neonatal calves with ards. although nt-probnp levels are not significantly elevated, suggesting a lack of severe ventricular stress, ctni levels show strong diagnostic relevance in identifying cardiac impairment.