Multicenter evaluation of the Roche NT-proBNP assay and comparison to the Biosite Triage BNP assay.
BACKGROUND
Brain natriuretic peptides (BNPs) are useful in the assessment of heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, and acute coronary syndromes.


METHODS
We performed a multicenter evaluation of the automated Roche NT-proBNP assay and compared its performance to the Biosite Triage BNP assay.


RESULTS
The N-terminal (1-76) pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) method is precise (CV<or=6.1%), has a wide dynamic measuring range (30-35000 ng/l), is free from common interferences, and does not cross-react with BNP. EDTA or heparinized plasma samples collected in glass or plastic tubes can be used, and samples are stable at room temperature or 4 degrees C for up to 3 days. In contrast, the Biosite BNP assay has >2-fold higher CV, and plasma samples are more labile when stored at room temperature and 4 degrees C. Comparison studies showed a reasonable correlation between NT-proBNP and BNP assays, with a substantially higher slope bias of 6-20 for the NT-proBNP assay.


CONCLUSIONS
The automated Roche NT-proBNP assay has good analytical performance and better precision than the Biosite BNP assay. Unlike BNP, NT-proBNP is stable in EDTA plasma for 3 days at room temperature or longer at 4 degrees C. The Roche NT-proBNP is fully automated and will accommodate the testing of large numbers of clinical samples for assessing cardiac dysfunction.
Yeo
Kiang-Teck J
KT
Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Medical School and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. jyeo@dartmouth.edu
Wu
Alan H B
AH
Apple
Fred S
FS
Kroll
Martin H
MH
Christenson
Robert H
RH
Lewandrowski
Kent B
KB
Sedor
Frank A
FA
Butch
Anthony W
AW
D000925:Anticoagulants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D004492:Edetic Acid