Recommendations on the clinical use of B-type natriuretic peptide testing (BNP or NTproBNP) in the UK and Ireland

Journal article

Plasma natriuretic peptide (NP) testing is not widely used in heart failure clinical practice in the UK or Ireland, despite a large evidence base. This article reports the views of a consensus group that was set up to develop guidance on the place of NP testing for clinicians in primary and secondary care. There is firm evidence for NP testing as part of the heart failure diagnostic pathway. Measuring NPs is also a useful prognostic tool and can help with discharge planning, and there is emerging evidence for use in treatment monitoring particularly in younger patients. For the future, NP measurement might also prove to be useful for screening high-risk patients for asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Copyright Medinews (Cardiology) Limited Reproduction Prohibited.

Authors: Cowie, MR; Collinson, P; Dargie, H; Hobbs, R; McDonagh, T

• Journal: British Journal of Cardiology
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 76-80
• Publication date: 2010-03-01
• ISSN: 0969-6113
• Language: English
• Keywords: Consensus; B-type natriuretic peptide testing; Heart failure