Reference Ranges for Natriuretic Peptides for Diagnostic Use are Dependent on Age, Gender and Heart Rate

Abstract

In this healthy population, plasma levels of N-ANP, BNP and N-BNP were variably influenced by clinical covariates. While all three peptides were higher in women, only N-ANP and N-BNP were influenced by age. Levels of all peptides were inversely correlated with heart rate. Using this immunoluminometric assay, plasma BNP is not influenced by age, in contrast to N-ANP and N-BNP. In constructing normal ranges for diagnostic use, covariates such as age and gender must be considered, in addition to the format of assay being used.