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N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)

Cardiac Markers · also called NT-proBNP, proBNP

What it measures

NT-proBNP is the inactive fragment released together with BNP when ventricles are under strain. It is more stable than BNP and is widely used to rule heart failure in or out and to follow treatment.

Specimen and preparation

Specimen: Serum or EDTA/heparin plasma
Tube: Gold top

Reference range

Group	Range
Rule-out, acute (all ages)	<300 pg/mL
Rule-out, non-acute	<125 pg/mL
Rule-in, acute, age 50–75	>900 pg/mL

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, methods and populations. Always use the range printed on your own lab report.

Causes of high values

Heart failure
Acute coronary syndrome
Pulmonary embolism
Atrial fibrillation
Kidney impairment
Sepsis

Causes of low values

Obesity (falsely low)

Method

Electrochemiluminescent immunoassay

Good to know

Rule-in thresholds rise with age (>450 under 50 years, >1800 over 75 years). Not affected by neprilysin inhibitors.

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