Test Name: NT-proBNP, Serum
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 60 MINUTES STAT Reporting Time: 60 MINUTES
Methodology: Roche e411
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
NT-proBNP is cardiac biomarker. The higher the number, the more likely the heart failure would be.
Sometimes other conditions can cause high BNP levels. These include:
- Kidney failure
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Severe infection (sepsis)
The NT-pro BNP may be interpreted according to age-specific criteria recommended by Mayo Clinic Labs (USA):
Under 50 years of age:
NT-proBNP values greater than 450 pg/mL are consistent with CHF.
50-75 years of age:
A diagnostic NT-proBNP cutoff of 900 pg/mL has been suggested of CHF in the absence of kidney failure.
Over 75 years of age:
A diagnostic NT-proBNP cutoff of 1800 pg/mL has been suggested of CHF in the absence of kidney failure.
References:
- Bock JL. Cardiac injury, atherosclerosis, and thrombotic disease. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 19.
- Felker GM, Teerlink JR. Diagnosis and management of acute heart failure. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 49.
- Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2022;145(18): e895-e1032. PMID: 35363499 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35363499/.