Effect of renal function loss on NT-proBNP level variations.
OBJECTIVE
NT-proBNP level is used for the detection of acute CHF and as a predictor of survival. However, a number of factors, including renal function, may affect the NT-proBNP levels. This study aims to provide a more precise way of interpreting NT-proBNP levels based on GFR, independent of age.


METHODS
This study includes 247 pts in whom CHF and known confounders of elevated NT-proBNP were excluded, to show the relationship of GFR in association with age. The effect of eGFR on NT-proBNP level was adjusted by dividing 1000 x log(NT-proBNP) by eGFR then further adjusting for age in order to determine a normalized NT-proBNP value.


RESULTS
The normalized NT-proBNP levels were affected by eGFR independent of the age of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
A normalizing function based on eGFR eliminates the need for an age-based reference ranges for NT-proBNP.
Bernstein
Larry H
LH
Department of Pathology, New York Methodist Hospital, 506 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA. plbern@yahoo.com
Zions
Michael Y
MY
Haq
Salman A
SA
Zarich
Stuart
S
Rucinski
James
J
Seamonds
Bette
B
Berger
Stanley
S
Lesley
Daniel Y
DY
Fleischman
William
W
Heitner
John F
JF
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain