THE VALUE OF NT-PRO BNP IN THE DIFFERENTIATION OF ACUTE DYSPNOEA IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the value of NT-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in the differentiation of acute dyspnoea in the emergency department.MethodsThe level of NT- pro BNP of 128 patients, who presented with acute dyspnoea caused by congestive heart failure or non-CHF, were tested by ELISA and compared.ResultsThe NT-pro BNP level of the patients with dyspnoea caused by CHF were obviously higher than those of patients with non-cardiogenic dyspnoea (p<0.01). The level of NT-pro BNP was significantly different among different stages of heart function in CHF group and without correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).ConclusionsOur results indicate that NT-pro BNP assays have a high degree of diagnostic accuracy and clinical relevance for CHF.