Analysis index

0,5 ml serum

0,5 ml Heparin-plasma

Stability in serum at room temperature: 3 days

NT-proBNP values are very much age-dependent and should always be interpreted in the context of clinical symptoms (dyspnea). The reference figures given are for clinically inconspicuous persons and have to be interpreted taking into consideration the patients’ age.

Exclusion of chronic cardiac insufficiency: < 125 pg/ml (independent of age)

Exclusion of acute cardiac insufficiency: < 300 pg/ml (independent of age)

Suspicion of acute or chronic cardiac insufficiency – monitoring, therapy optimization, controversial, short-term and long-term prognosis of chronic cardiac insufficiency, shortness of breath. Differentiation between cardiac insufficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other non-cardiac causes of dyspnea. Risk estimation of acute coronary syndrome (myocardial infarction, angioplasty, instable pectoral angina) in view of the likelihood of developing cardiac insufficiency within the next 6 months.

BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) and NT-BNP (N-terminal BNP) have established themselves as important laboratory markers of acute and chronic cardiac insufficiency. Due to the longer half-life and higher in vitro stability of NT-proBNP (half-life ca. 80 min) as opposed to that of BNP (half-life ca. 5 min), we offer this test in our laboratory. NT-proBNP is released by the myocytes as a reaction to an increased ventricular wall dilatation. In case of a measured NT-proBNP value of < 300 pg/ml in the test system used by us, an acute cardiac insufficiency is very unlikely throughout all age groups and independent of gender; as per ICON study there is a negative predictive value of 98% (J.L. Januzzi et al, Eur Heart J 2006; 27: 330-337), which is also confirmed by the current ESC guideline (P. Ponikowski et al, Eur Heart J 2016; 37: 2129-2200). A higher value however is not tantamount to the presence of a cardiovascular disease, as significantly higher NT-proBNP levels are seen even in healthy people as they get older, meaning that levels between 800 – 900 pg/ml would still be deemed normal in male patients > 65 years of age. The correlation with corresponding clinical symptoms is therefore important, especially in case of dyspnea. On suspicion of chronic cardiac insufficiency, with a test result of < 125 pg/ml this can be ruled out with a negative predictive value of 94 % – 98 % for all age groups and independent of gender.

In patients with renal insufficiency, NT-proBNP values can only be evaluated to a limited extent due to the renal elimination of peptide! Results will be communicated by telephone as soon as possible, if you so wish.