title: [BNP and NT-proBNP: reference values and cutoff limits].
abstract: Natriuretic peptides, particularly BNP and NT-proBNP, are increasingly used as screening test in patients with symptoms suggestive of heart failure (HF). Due to their high negative predictive values, natriuretic peptide determinations allow to exclude chronic HF with great certainty and to identify patients for whom echography is not necessary. These biomarkers are also useful for diagnostic purposes, high plasma levels being related to an increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalisation and death. Risk stratification in patients with HF symptoms is based on "low" and "high" cut-off limits, for which different values have been proposed. The aim of this paper is to discuss the delineation of the decision limits and the intermediate grey zone in comparison to NT-proBNP reference values obtained in a representative group of subjects living in the Liège area (Belgium). Data were analysed in relation to age and gender, two of the main parameters influencing the natriuretic peptide plasma levels.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chimie Médicale, CHU de Liège, Belgique.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guillaume
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nellessen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chapelle
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular / Q000592:standards; D003940:Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology / Q000592:standards; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology / Q000592:standards; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain