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B-Type Natriuretic Peptide
| Item | Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval req'd? | No | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available Stat? | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Test code | BNP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performed by | Parnassus Chemistry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In House Availability | Test available 24 hours per day 7 days per week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Method | Membrane Immunofluorescence Assay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Container type | Lavender top | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount to Collect | 1 mL blood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sample type | EDTA whole blood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred volume | 1 mL blood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Min. Volume | 0.3 mL blood | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | pg/mL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Normal range |
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| Synonyms | BNP; brain type; ANF; ANH; Atrial Natriuretic factor; Atrial Natriuretic Hormone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stability | Room temperature or refrigerated 24 hours. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turn around times | STAT 1 hour, Routine 4 hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional information | BNP is released from the heart (mainly the left ventricle) in response to increased wall tension and has both diuretic and natriuretic effects. BNP testing appears most useful for helping to rule out congestive heart failure in patients presenting with acute dsypnea. In patients being evaluated for acute dyspnea, BNP levels > 100 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 73% in diagnosing congestive heart failure (CHF) (McCullough PA et al Circulation 2002 106(4):416-422). In patients with BNP levels < 50 pg/mL, the negative predictive value for CHF was 96% (Maisel AS N Engl J Med 2002 347(3):161-7). BNP levels have been shown to correlate with both NYHA functional class and invasively measured hemodynamic parameters. Treatment with ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and nitrates has been shown to decrease BNP levels in parallel with improving clinical symptoms (Richards, AM et al. Trends Endocr. Metabol. 13(4): 151-155. 2002). In patients with acute coronary syndromes, increased BNP levels are associated with increased risk for death during the subsequent 10 months as well with increased risk for myocardial infarction or heart failure (NEJM 345:1014-1021, 2001). Although BNP is renally cleared, acute and chronic renal failure per se do not appear to increase serum BNP significantly. WARNING: Although normal BNP levels indicate a low probability of CHF, they do not exclude the possibility of heart failure or other serious cardiovascular or pulmonary disorders. Increased BNP levels are also not specific for CHF and can occur in patients with other serious conditions including pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, or acute myocardial infarction. BNP testing is not a substitute for careful cardiopulmonary evaluation and should not be the sole criterion for determining whether to admit or discharge a patient with dyspnea or other cardiovascular or pulmonary symptoms. BNP testing is also not recommended for screening for LV dysfunction or left ventricular hypertrophy in the general population (JAMA 288:1252-1259, 2002). Higher levels of BNP are seen in women and older individuals. Age and gender specific reference ranges are listed above (from assay manufacturer, Biosite). Sensitivity and Specificity for Diagnosis of CHF in Patients Presenting to ED with Dyspnea:
from Maisel AS, N Engl. J. Med. 2002 347(3):161-7 |
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| Medical Necessity? | Yes. Click here for more information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LOINC code | 42637-9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated | 10/2/2010 11:51:22 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Entry Number | 82 |
If you have additional questions regarding this test, please call: 415-353-1667