Recent advances in point-of-care testing for natriuretic peptides: potential impact on heart failure diagnosis and management

ABSTRACT

Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The presenting symptoms of heart failure are often nonspecific. The diagnosis of heart failure has traditionally relied heavily upon clinical exam findings, which are often subjective and have low sensitivity. Efficient and rapid diagnosis of heart failure in the emergency room setting can reduce health care costs, hospital admission and ER visits, and improve patient care. Natriuretic peptides are objective biomarkers that can help with diagnosis, prognosis and management of heart failure. The most extensively studied and clinically utilized natriuretic peptides include brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP). Point-of-care testing in the emergency room setting can result in faster triage times. Point-of-care testing can also be utilized in the outpatient setting for real-time management of patients with heart failure.

KEYWORDS:

• Natriuretic peptides
• point of care
• heart failure
• triage

Financial and competing interests disclosure

AS Maisel is a consultant for Spingotec and a speaker for Alere and Critical DX. He also conducts research for Novartis, Alere, Abbott and Roche.

JA Iwaz has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.