Cost-effectiveness and use of natriuretic peptides in clinical practice – do we have enough evidence yet?

September 2007    Volume 14, Issue 4   Br J Cardiol 2007;14:179-80

Authors:
Ahmet Fuat

Clinicians find heart failure difficult to diagnose. Confirmation of left ventricular dysfunction (systolic or diastolic) is only possible by cardiac imaging. Recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance have suggested that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)/N-terminal prohormone BNP (NT proBNP) and electrocardiography be used as a diagnostic tool that supports general practitioners (GPs) in their assessment of patients with suspected heart failure. Despite inclusion in guidelines uptake of BNP or NT proBNP use has been slow in the National Health Service (NHS).

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