NT-proBNP for Evaluation of the Dyspneic Patient in the Emergency Room and the Medical Ward

NT-proBNP for Evaluation of the Dyspneic Patient in the Emergency Room and the Medical Ward (BNP4EVER)

The proposed study intends to evaluate the impact of the NT-proBNP assay on the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with dyspnea of unknown etiology presenting to the emergency room and admitted to the medical wards.

The proposed study intends to evaluate the impact of the NT-proBNP assay on the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with dyspnea of unknown etiology presenting to the emergency room and admitted to the medical wards.

Patients will be consented and randomized to open or blinded NT-proBNP test performed within 90 minutes in a venous blood sample.

Evaluation of the ER diagnosis and final discharge diagnosis in admitted patients will be carried out in light of the NT-proBNP results.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Acute shortness of breath of unknown etiology as presentation to the emergency room
2. Possible acute exacerbation of known heart failure

Exclusion Criteria:

None -