Point of care with serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for heart failure in patients with acute decompensation. An invited commentary

Consolato M Sergi

doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100889

Point of care with serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for heart failure in patients with acute decompensation. An invited commentary

Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2022 Jan 25:26:100889. doi: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100889. eCollection 2022 Apr.

Author

Consolato M Sergi^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Anatomy Pathology Division, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.
² Departments of Pediatrics and Laboratory Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
³ Stollery Children's Hospital, University Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Abstract

Point-of-care (POC) Testing (POCT) is a medical diagnostic approach carried out outside the clinical laboratory and close to the patient. The results are used for the immediate clinical decision to improve patient care. Accreditation Canada and Diagnostic Accreditation Programs regulatory standards and the College of the American Pathologists for POCT have implemented several guidelines and certifications. POC in heart failure (POC-HF) will demonstrate that it is helpful to develop a preliminary understanding of the value of serial N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements in the diagnostic and therapeutic process in patients hospitalized with acute decompensation of heart failure. In addition, POC-HF will hopefully answer questions on the workability of this approach in clinical routine and the usefulness and justification to perform larger-scale studies investigating this strategy.

Keywords: ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; AHA, American Heart Association; DAP, Diagnostic Accreditation Programs; Heart failure; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; NYHA, New York Heart Association; POC, Point-of-care; POC-HF, Point-of-Care in heart failure; POCT, Point-of-Care Testing; Point-of-care testing; Public health; QC, Quality Control.