These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Importance and interpretation of intermediate (gray zone) amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations.
    Author: van Kimmenade RR, Pinto YM, Januzzi JL.
    Journal: Am J Cardiol; 2008 Feb 04; 101(3A):39-42. PubMed ID: 18243857.
    Abstract:
    Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) values between the cut point of 300 ng/L for "ruling out" acute heart failure (HF) and the consensus-recommended age-adjusted cut points for "ruling in" acute HF are referred to as intermediate or gray zone values, which may be seen in approximately 20% of patients with dyspnea in the emergency department. Knowledge of the differential diagnosis of the causes of a gray zone NT-proBNP finding is useful to ascertain the correct diagnosis. Possible causes include cardiac ischemia, atrial fibrillation, and infectious/inflammatory pulmonary diseases. Importantly, a gray zone NT-proBNP result is not associated with a benign prognosis. Regardless of the cause, it should not be ignored because it is a "negative" result. Patients with a gray zone NT-proBNP value are at higher risk for hazard compared with those with a negative NT-proBNP result.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]