INTRODUCTION: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal pro natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are widely accepted to diagnose congestive heart failure (CHF) in the emergency room. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of BNP and NT-proBNP to diagnose CHF in primary care. METHODS: Clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of patients referred by their general practitioner (GP) with the diagnosis of CHF. Receiver operating curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of BNP and NT-proBNP for echocardiographically confirmed systolic and/or diastolic heart failure. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty four patients (mean age of 65) were included. One hundred and ninety three (50%) patients had systolic heart failure and 31 (8%) had isolated diastolic heart failure. Using currently recommended cut-off values of BNP (less than 100 pg/ml) and NT-proBNP (less than 125 pg/ml) for exclusion of CHF, BNP was false negative in 25% and NT-proBNP in 10% of the patients. The area under the curve was better for NT-proBNP than for BNP (0.742 vs. 0.691). CONCLUSION: In this population with a high prevalence of CHF, BNP and NT-proBNP failed to adequately rule out CHF. GP's should be cautious when using BNP and NT-proBNP in primary care. An echocardiography remains compulsory in unexplained dyspnea.
INTRODUCTION:Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal pro natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are widely accepted to diagnose congestive heart failure (CHF) in the emergency room. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of BNP and NT-proBNP to diagnose CHF in primary care. METHODS: Clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of patients referred by their general practitioner (GP) with the diagnosis of CHF. Receiver operating curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of BNP and NT-proBNP for echocardiographically confirmed systolic and/or diastolic heart failure. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty four patients (mean age of 65) were included. One hundred and ninety three (50%) patients had systolic heart failure and 31 (8%) had isolated diastolic heart failure. Using currently recommended cut-off values of BNP (less than 100 pg/ml) and NT-proBNP (less than 125 pg/ml) for exclusion of CHF, BNP was false negative in 25% and NT-proBNP in 10% of the patients. The area under the curve was better for NT-proBNP than for BNP (0.742 vs. 0.691). CONCLUSION: In this population with a high prevalence of CHF, BNP and NT-proBNP failed to adequately rule out CHF. GP's should be cautious when using BNP and NT-proBNP in primary care. An echocardiography remains compulsory in unexplained dyspnea.
Authors: John Gierula; Richard M Cubbon; Maria F Paton; Rowenna Byrom; Judith E Lowry; Sarah F Winsor; Melanie McGinlay; Emma Sunley; Emma Pickles; Lorraine C Kearney; Aaron Koshy; Thomas A Slater; Hemant K Chumun; Haqeel A Jamil; Kristian M Bailey; Julian H Barth; Mark T Kearney; Klaus K Witte Journal: Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes Date: 2019-07-01
Authors: Kathryn S Taylor; Jan Y Verbakel; Benjamin G Feakins; Christopher P Price; Rafael Perera; Clare Bankhead; Annette Plüddemann Journal: BMJ Date: 2018-05-21
Authors: Jan Traub; Markus Otto; Roxane Sell; György A Homola; Petra Steinacker; Patrick Oeckl; Caroline Morbach; Stefan Frantz; Mirko Pham; Stefan Störk; Guido Stoll; Anna Frey Journal: ESC Heart Fail Date: 2022-05-25