Blood Test for Shortness of Breath

Giving patients with shortness of breath a new blood test can help general practitioners (GPs) diagnose the cause of this symptom, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology in Berlin (Germany).

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP), a cardiac hormone present in human blood, increases to abnormally high levels in heart failure. Heart failure is an important cause of shortness-of-breath, especially in older people. However, heart failure is difficult to diagnose accurately in a primary care setting without sending the patient for further hospital-based tests.

A test for N-BNP has already proven useful in diagnosing shortness-of-breath in a hospital setting. The use of the test by GPs was examined in a recent study conducted by researchers in New Zealand. More than 300 patients presented to GPs with shortness-of-breath or ankle swelling. Each patient underwent a full cardiology assessment at the department of medicine at the University of Auckland. Blood was also collected for a BNP test. Half of the GPs received their patients' BNP results and half did not. Of those who had the results, 21% changed to a correct diagnosis, compared to 7% of those using usual clinical review, providing support for the use of the test.




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