title: Does bnp testing aid diagnosis of heart failure?
abstract: Heart failure is common, causes major disability and often shortens life. Two UK guidelines advocate the measurement of plasma concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in diagnosis of chronic heart failure, either in combination with, or as an alternative to, an ECG.1,2 Here we review the evidence for BNP testing in the diagnosis of chronic heart failure, and discuss the implications in terms of availability of the test.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D015444:Exercise; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood* / Q000191:economics; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood* / Q000191:economics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000494:pharmacology; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain