Authors' objectives: Evaluate the available evidence on diagnostic utility and insuring the use of proBNP in patients with suspected heart failure. This is an update of the rapid response report "Utility of pro-BNP peptide in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Heart Failure" published in July 2005.

Authors' recommendations: Pro-BNP is a marker that is often used in the diagnosis of heart failure, seen in most cases as equivalent to BNP. It has a high sensitivity but moderate specificity, similar to BNP. Its use is usually recommended in patients with dyspnea or pleural effusion for the differential diagnosis of decompensated heart failure and other non-cardiac diseases, in conjunction with other diagnostic studies. Its levels indicate the risk of heart failure, being higher when the level of proBNP is higher. Moreover, in relation to monitoring patients with heart failure, results from meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials showed that in patients whose therapeutic strategy was decided based on the levels of proBNP, the mortality rate was significantly reduced compared to the usual strategies. However, practice guidelines do not usually include the use of proBNP in monitoring patients with chronic heart failure. In conclusion, pro-BNP is a marker that would have diagnostic value in patients with heart failure but is not currently recommended in deciding therapeutic behaviors in such patients.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2011

URL for published report: www.iecs.org.ar/home-ets/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)