BNP Test with Expanded Dynamic Range

A blood test that measures circulating levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) now has an extended range of up to 5,000 pg/ml. The extended-range test was introduced at the 2002 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Chicago, IL (USA).

The 15-minute blood test, called Triage BNP, can be used in hospital emergency departments and heart failure clinics to help doctors accurately diagnose patients with shortness of breath or other symptoms of heart failure. The test is the product of Biosite Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA; www.biosite.com). BNP is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that aids healthy functioning of the heart and is secreted by the ventricles of the heart as one of the body's natural responses to heart failure. The limit of the original Triage BNP test was 1,300 pg/ml.

"The extended range will not only help doctors better evaluate patients with severe heart failure but will also provide important information that can be used in studying the dynamics of BNP and evaluating potential new applications for the Triage BNP test,” said Kim Blickenstaff, president and CEO of Biosite.




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