Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
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Comparative Study
Comparative value of BNP and NT-proBNP in diagnosis of heart failure.
Heart failure (HF) remains a major diagnostic challenge. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and the N-terminal portion of proBNP (NT-proBNP) have emerged as excellent diagnostic biohumoral indicators in cardiac disease. It is not clear which of the two is superior as a diagnostic marker in HF. ⋯ Both peptides had an excellent ability to distinguish HF from non-HF subjects. NT-proBNP was more sensitive and specific. Nevertheless, neither peptide could differentiate between the SDG and the PFG by itself. NT-proBNP is a simple, highly effective diagnostic test for HF. A favorable impact on management and costs is expected from implementation of this diagnostic test in clinical practice.