title: Assessment of BNP and NT-proBNP in emergency department patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between BNP and NT-proBNP among physiologically and clinically relevant demographic subgroups has never been clarified in the context of the emergency department (ED).
  
  
  METHODS
  A blood sample taken from patients presenting to the E.D. with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) was analyzed for BNP and NT-proBNP, and correlation between them was examined as an entire group then as subgroups according to gender, ethnicity, age, and comorbidity variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BNP and NT-proBNP correlate well (0.89, P < 0.0001) in a population of 420 patients and in patient subgroups with a history of various etiologies, including vascular disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, BNP and NT-proBNP correlate very well in patients with suspected ACS and may aid in the risk stratification process in emergency departments.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry Division, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Meyer B-121, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. scamero6@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: Gary B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: C Nicole
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Omar F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Laterza
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Lori J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Sokoll
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain