title: Development and validation of an IA-LC/MS method to quantitate active and total B-type natriuretic peptide in human plasma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and/or NT-proBNP as measured by clinical tests have an elevated risk of heart failure (HF). Despite utility in large clinical studies, both assays are plagued by large biological variability and specificity issues. To address these concerns and further investigate BNP in the HF setting, we developed an LC/MS assay to characterize the ratio of active to total BNP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have developed and validated a novel immunoaffinity LC/MS assay to measure BNP-derived fragments, as well as 'total BNP' in human plasma. The ratio of active BNP1-32to total BNP in 11 HF subjects was found to be <8%, and the sum of detectable BNP fragments contributed approximately 20% of total BNP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We developed an assay with the specificity to measure the active form of BNP, which may aid in the accurate diagnosis and better management of HF.
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
authors.forename: Derek L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
authors.forename: Anita Yh
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
authors.forename: Harold S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lassman
authors.affiliation: Merck & Co., Inc. Rahway, NJ 07065, USA.
authors.forename: Omar F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Laterza
keywords: BNP; IA-LC/MS; NT-proBNP; P800 plasma; Total BNP; biomarker; heart failure; natriuretic peptides