Chemistry: glycoprotein with 39 amino acids. The molecular weight is around 2,000 Daltons.
Units: pmol/L
Upper limit of normal reference range: 4.4 pmol/L
Elevated copeptin concentrations are associated with a worse outcome for patients with:
(1) ischemic stroke
(2) sepsis
(3) acute myocardial infarction
(4) acute exacerbation of COPD
(5) community-acquired pneumonia
The cutoff for poor outcome depends on the outcome, the assay and the condition.
Factors affecting serum levels:
(1) corticosteroid therapy: inhibits release, with lower serum concentrations
(2) renal insufficiency: associated with elevated serum levels
(3) malignancy: associated with elevated serum levels
