N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Discriminating Between Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Dyspnoea

Abstract

In a relevant setting of primary care patients complaining of dyspnoea, NT-proBNP seems promising for disproval of heart failure, and this test may reduce the need for echocardiographic screening with 50%. However, the discrimination levels of NT-proBNP found in this study may need prospective confirmation, before the test can be generally recommended.