title: Outpatient monitoring and treatment of chronic heart failure guided by amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide measurement.
abstract: Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a strong and independent prognostic marker in patients across the spectrum of heart failure (HF) stages, including patients managed in the outpatient setting. Serial measures of NT-proBNP are more valuable than single measures for prognosis, and biologic variation of the marker should allow serial monitoring. Furthermore, given that NT-proBNP levels decrease in response to the addition of therapies with proven benefit for HF (including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, spironolactone, exercise therapy, and biventricular pacing), it is logical to expect that targeting therapy to decrease NT-proBNP levels may facilitate more optimal use of proven HF therapies and may reduce adverse clinical outcomes. The optimal strategy for NT-proBNP monitoring with regard to frequency of testing or whether to use standard or individualized targets is still being determined. Preliminary results are promising for targeting an outpatient NT-proBNP concentration of approximately < or =1,000 ng/L. Current data suggest that when NT-proBNP levels are not at goal or increase from prior measurements, the risk for hazard is increased. Adjustments in treatment and serial clinical follow-up with NT-proBNP retesting should be considered at frequent intervals until biochemical stabilization or achievement of a maximally tolerated medical program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Troughton
authors.forename: A Mark
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010045:Outpatients; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D011498:Protein Precursors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011498:Protein Precursors; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain