title: Measurement of Elecsys NT-proBNP in serum, K2 EDTA and heparin plasma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is controversial evidence on a matrix influence on the measurement of NT-proBNP.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared results of Elecsys NT-proBNP measurement on serum, K2 EDTA plasma and lithium heparin plasma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Samples collected in K2 EDTA showed a marginally significant underestimation when compared to serum and heparin, whereas no significant difference was observed between serum and heparin plasma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum, heparin and K2 EDTA plasma may be suitable for NT-proBNP measurement.
authors.affiliation: Sezione di Chimica e Microscopia Clinica, Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Verona, Ospedale Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale Scuro, 10, 37134-Verona, Italy. giuseppe.lippi@univr.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lippi
authors.forename: Gian Luca
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Salvagno
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montagnana
authors.forename: Gian Cesare
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Guidi
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D004492:Edetic Acid; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid