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Test Code 422 B-Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) - Mercy Dyersville only

Important Note

The sample must be drawn at least 3 hours after I.V. infusion for patient receiving Natrecor.

Additional Codes

ALAB: BNP

PowerChart: BNP (B -Type Natriuretic Peptide)

MA Cerner: B-Natriuretic Peptide

Test Method

Fluorescence Immunoassay; Biosite

Specimen Requirement

2 mL plasma or whole blood is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in a EDTA, purple-top tube. Whole blood specimen may be stored at room temperature for up to 7 hours. Plasma may be stored up to 24 hours refrigerated or at room temperature. Grossly hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable. Samples with enough lipemia to cause internal QC to fail must be cleared prior to analysis. Samples with Triglyceride levels >1000 mg/dL may cause interference.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine orders: Typically completed within 4 hours after specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT orders: Typically completed within 50 minutes after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

This test can be very helpful in distinguishing congestive heart failure from other causes of dyspnea in patients presenting with signs and symptoms that may or may not represent heart failure. BNP levels < 100 pg/mL have been shown to have a 98% negative predictive value with 95.6% specificity in that context.

CPT Code Information

83880 Chemistry: Natriuretic peptide

Useful For

Distinguising congestive heart failure from other causes of dyspnea in patients presenting with signs and symptoms that may or may not represent heart failure.

LOINC Code Information

30934-4  Natriuretic Peptide B [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma