Economic Evaluation of an N-terminal pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide-supported Diagnostic Strategy among Dyspneic Patients Suspected of Acute Heart Failure in the Emergency Department

Dyspnea is a frequent reason for emergency department (ED) admission in the United States (US).1 Its underlying cause may be acute heart failure (AHF) or a respiratory condition that requires different management.2-4 Effective differentiation of AHF from other causes of dyspnea at the time of diagnostic work-up is important as uncertainty in assessment increases the likelihood of hospital admission, longer hospital stays, and higher rates of one-year morbidity and mortality.2 Among available diagnostic tools, echocardiography demonstrated the highest accuracy in evaluating patients for AHF5; however, it requires specialized training and may be expensive.
Source: The American Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research