Test Description

N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is used as an aid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome and kidney disease.

The N-terminal fragment of the prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is an endogenously produced neurohormone primarily secreted from the cardiac ventricular myocytes in response to cardiac stress.

When should this test be ordered?
In contrast with the BNP test, a drug to treat left ventricular dysfunction does not interfere with the measurement of N-terminal pro-BNP. It can also be elevated in persons with kidney disease. It is further indicated for risk stratification of patient with acute coronary syndrome; helps determine mortality of patients at risk for heart failure for patients with stable CAD.
High Risk · Outside Reference Range
Greater than reference range:

NT-proBNP: Evaluate underlying cause of myocardial dysfunction. Consider resistance training and aerobic exercise to reduce NT-proBNP.
Borderline Risk · 185-449 (pg/mL)
NT-proBNP: Evaluate underlying cause of myocardial dysfunction. Consider resistance training and aerobic exercise to reduce NT-proBNP.
Low Risk · Within Reference Range
Reference Range:

(0-27374) days : 0-449 (pg/mL)
(>= 27375) days : 0-184 (pg/mL)
Testing Method Used
Electrochemilluminescence Immunoassay.

Sample is stable for 6 days at 2-8°C.

Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
To be heart healthy and to delay, prevent or reverse the risk for developing heart disease, your healthcare practitioner may recommend a heart healthy diet and increase your daily physical activity. Depending on your condition and/or history medication or therapies may also be suggested.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
No, but may be done with other tests that requires fasting.
Drawing and Processing
  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tubetube1
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; grossly hemolyzed or lipemic; wrong specimen type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or mislabeled specimen.
References
1. Januzzi JL, van Kimmenade R, Lainchbury J: NT-proBNP testing for diagnosis and short-term prognosis in acute destabilized heart failure: an international pooled analysis of 1,256 patients; The International Collaborative of NT-proBNP Study. Eur Heart J 2006;27:330-337
2. van Kimmenade R, Pinto YM, Bayes-Genis A: Usefulness of intermediate amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide concentrations for diagnosis and prognosis of acute heart failure. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:386-390
3. DeFilippi C, van Kimmenade R, Pinto YM: Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide testing in renal disease. Am J Cardiol 2008;101[suppl]:82A- 88A

The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used or substituted as medical advice. You should consult a healthcare practitioner regarding medical diagnosis or treatment.