Synonyms

   ProBNP (B-Type Natriuretic Peptide)

Clinical Significance

   It is useful for Aids in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure using serum specimens.

Specimen

   Serum

Stability

   Frozen (preferred) : 365 days

   Refrigerated : 7 days

Reference Range

   < 125 pg/ml

Interpretation

   A normal BNP result implies the patient does not have heart failure and the symptoms are due to a different condition. Elevated concentrations of BNP suggest that a person has heart failure, but further tests are required before the diagnosis is made. In general, the concentration of BNP increases as heart failure develops / deteriorates and decreases when the condition is stabilised.

Limitation

   Lack of N-terminal-pro brain natruretic peptide (NT-proBNP) elevations have been reported if congestive heart failure is very acute (first hour) or occurs with ventricular inflow obstruction (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, mitral stenosis, atrial myxoma).