Biochemical diagnosis of ventricular dysfunction in elderly patients in general practice: observational study.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of measuring plasma concentrations of B type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in an unselected group of elderly people. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: General practice with four centres in Poole, Dorset. PARTICIPANTS: 155 elderly patients aged 70 to 84 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnostic characteristics of plasma B type natriuretic peptide measured by radioimmunoassay as a test for left ventricul...

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Authors: Smith, H; Pickering, R; Struthers, A; Simpson, I; Mant, D

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
• Volume: 320
• Issue: 7239
• Pages: 906-908
• Publication date: 2000-04-01
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.320.7239.906
• EISSN: 1756-1833
• ISSN: 0959-8138
• Language: English
• Keywords: Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Biological Markers; Aged; Ventricular Dysfunction; Humans; Aged, 80 and over; Sensitivity and Specificity; Predictive Value of Tests; Radioimmunoassay; Area Under Curve; Echocardiography