Chapter 12 Biology
Biology identifier is [bi]
As biological features can be gather multiple times at each time point (i.e. several times during index hospitalization, or follow-up), they are gathered in a separate instrument. Naming process is standard, with
The second item referring to the biological parameter
The third item referring to the chronological position of the dosage.
E.g. bi_bnp_ini_value, refers to the BNP initial value
There are some biological features that do not pertain to a timing (e.g. normal value, or ever acquired status). Note that this is a bit twisted, since normal value may change if the patient gets his/her labs in a different place after being discharged.
12.1 Abbreviations
| Abbreviation(s) | Feature |
|---|---|
uln |
Upper limit of normal |
| Biology timings | |
ini |
Initial value (can be slightly before or after the index cardiotoxicity date) |
bimm |
Before first immunosuppressant was introduced during index hospitalization |
pk |
Peak value of the parameter during index hospitalization |
mr |
Most recent value (possibly after index hospitalization discharge) |
| Blood chemistry | |
bnp |
Brain Natriuretic Peptide |
ntpbnp |
Nt-pro-BNP |
crp |
C reactive protein |
cre |
creatinin |
cpk |
CK or CPK |
ckmb |
CK-MB |
trop |
Troponin (either I or T) |
tropi |
Troponin I Be very careful that these parameters are used only if BOTH troponins were used. When only one troponin is used, |
tropt |
Troponin T Same comment |
| Blood formula | |
cbc |
Complete blood count |
neu |
Neutrophil count |
lym |
Lymphocyte count |
mon |
Monocyte count |
eos |
Eosinophil count |
bas |
Basophil count |
igc |
Immature granulocyte count |
pla |
Platelet count |
12.2 Normal values and ratios
Most normal values of biological parameters are different from one lab to another. Also, users may report bio vars according to different scales.
Examples: troponin upper limit of normal may range from ~ 0.01 to ~ 50. Complete blood count can be reported in G/L or 10^-3/µL (even if the var field asked for reporting with one of them).
It is advised to express biological parameters according to their normal value upper or lower limits if known, or to contrast them into ratios that get rid of the unit (example: neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio)