A Multicenter Study of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels,

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels within the diagnostic range, perceived congestive heart failure (CHF) severity, clinical decision making, and outcomes of the CHF patients presenting to emergency department (ED). BACKGROUND Since BNP correlates with the presence of CHF, disease severity, and prognosis, we hypothesized that BNP levels in the diagnostic range offer value independent of physician decision making with regard to critical outcomes in emergency medicine. METHODS The Rapid Emergency Department Heart failure Outpatient Trial (REDHOT) study was a 10-center trial in which patients seen in the ED with shortness of breath were consented to have BNP levels drawn on arrival. Entrance criteria included a BNP level!100 pg/ml. Physicians were blinded to the actual BNP level and subsequent BNP measurements. Patients were followed up for 90 days after discharge. RESULTS Of the 464 patients, 90 % were hospitalized. Two-thirds of patients were perceived to be New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV. The BNP levels did not differ significantly between patients who were discharged home from the ED and those admitte