title: Estimation of the possible economic effects of a sequential testing strategy with NT-proBNP before echocardiography in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The object of the study was to estimate the possible economic effects of a sequential testing strategy with NT-proBNP from a primary care payer perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study data were collected from primary care physicians in the County of Uppland from 2005 through 2012. Two different cut-off levels were used for negative NT-proBNP in the rule-out test: 300 and 400 pg/mL. The cost-effectiveness of the testing strategy was estimated through the short-term cost avoidance and reduction in demand for echocardiographies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The female patients were slightly older than the males. Based on the data from 2012, the estimated costs for NT-proBNP tests and echocardiographies per county were reduced by EUR 300000/100000 inhabitants with the 300 pg/mL cut-off and EUR 350000/100000 inhabitants with the 400 pg/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of NT-proBNP as a rule-out test in a sequential testing strategy reduced the cost for diagnostic work-up of primary care patients with suspected heart failure.
authors.forename: Banafsheh Seyyed
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Khezri
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helmersson-Karlqvist
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain