Use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation and management of acute dyspnea.

BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide levels are higher in patients with congestive heart failure than in patients with dyspnea from other causes.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 452 patients who presented to the emergency department with acute dyspnea: 225 patients were randomly assigned to a diagnostic strategy involving the measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide levels with the use of a rapid bedside assay, and 227 were assessed in a standard manner. The time to discharge and the total cost of treatment were the primary end points.

RESULTS: Base-line demographic and clinical characteristics were well matched between the two groups. The use of B-type natriuretic peptide levels reduced the need for hospitalization and intensive care; 75 percent of patients in the B-type natriuretic peptide group were hospitalized, as compared with 85 percent of patients in the control group (P=0.008), and 15 percent of those in the B-type natriuretic peptide group required intensive care, as compared with 24 percent of those in the control group (P=0.01). The median time to discharge was 8.0 days in the B-type natriuretic peptide group and 11.0 days in the control group (P=0.001). The mean total cost of treatment was 5,410 dollars (95 percent confidence interval, 4,516 dollars to 6,304 dollars) in the B-type natriuretic peptide group, as compared with 7,264 dollars (95 percent confidence interval, 6,301 dollars to 8,227 dollars) in the control group (P=0.006). The respective 30-day mortality rates were 10 percent and 12 percent (P=0.45).

CONCLUSIONS: Used in conjunction with other clinical information, rapid measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide in the emergency department improved the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute dyspnea and thereby reduced the time to discharge and the total cost of treatment.