Blood Test Guides Treatment of Heart Failure

A study has shown that a simple blood test can predict which patients with heart failure can easily be started on an established treatment to improve survival.

The study involved 84 patients referred to a heart failure clinic. Beta-blockers were started in all patients at a low dose, which was gradually increased over a period of eight weeks. During the study, all patients were given a blood test that measured NT pro-BNP, a substance produced by the heart when it is failing. The test accurately predicted which patients could not safely be started on the beta-blockers. In this study, almost 90% of the patients were able to take beta-blockers. The remaining 10% had unacceptable side effects.

Beta-blockers have been shown to improve symptoms of heart failure, such as breathlessness and ankle swelling, and to prolong survival. The study, conducted by researchers at the Western Infirmary of the University of Glasgow (UK), was presented at the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology in Berlin (Germany).




Related Links:
U. of Glasgow