Diagnostic value of brain natriuretic peptide in congestive heart failure

Objective To evaluate diagnostic value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) in patients with congestive heart failure(CHF).Methods 85 patients with acute dyspnea and whose B-type natriuretic peptide was measured with ELISA assay.The clinical diagnosis of congestive heart failure was adjudicated by two independent cardiologists,who were blinded to the results of the B-type natriuretic peptide assay.Thirty patients with normal ventricular function served as control group.Results The plasma BNP concentrations of CHF were significantly higher than that of non-CHF(P0.001 respectively),A plasma BNP concentration exceeding mean of the controls(x+1.96s) had a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 93% for diagnosis of congestive heart failure in patients with acute dyspnea.Conclusions Used in conjunction with other clinical information, measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide is useful in establishing or excluding the diagnosis of congestive heart failure in patients with acute dyspnea.