Unexplained shortness of breath?

Test before referral

Shorten the journey - unexplained shortness of breath to referral

Unexplained shortness of breathReferral
Dyspnoea Referral

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) recommends NT-proBNP screening to help confirm or rule out heart failure in patients with shortness of breath when clinical diagnosis remains uncertain. This can aid in decision-making and accelerate the pathway to appropriate referral1,2,3.

Learn more

38%

Of patients with unexplained shortness of breath do not receive a definitive diagnosis within six months post-referral4

1in20

Patients with unexplained shortness of breath in the primary care setting will have heart failure (including HFrEF, HFpEF) as its cause3,5

67%

Of patients with unexplained shortness of breath did not need further diagnostic work-up after taking NT-proBNP test6

Reducing diagnostic delays:

In cases of suspected heart failure, blood analysis, including measurement of NTpro-BNP levels, can be readily performed in primary care prior to referral2.

Interpret NT-ProBNP test results with confidence

Understand NT-ProBNP test results

The value of NT-proBNP testing

Find out how the NT-proBNP test provides an early warning that unexplained shortness of breath may be associated with myocardial dysfunction. Follow national and international guidelines on how the test should be used7.

NT-proBNP in clinical practice

See how NT-proBNP can accelerate the journey to correct diagnosis. Learn what the results mean and the next steps to take1.

References

NT-proBNP: N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide.
HFrEF: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
HFpEF: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

 

  1. Ontario Health. Accessed Sep 2021 at: https://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/evidence/reports/hta-use-of-b-type-natriuretic-peptide-and-n-terminal-probnp-as-diagnostic-tests-in-adults-with-suspected-heart-failure.pdf;
  2. Verhestraeten C, et al. PLoS ONE 2020; 15: e0244485;
  3. Ezekowitz J, et al. Can J Cardiol 2017; 33: 1342-1433;
  4. Berliner D, et al_ Dtsch Arztebl Int 2016, 113: 834-45;
  5. Huang Y, et al. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10: 3745-3756;
  6. Burri E, et al. J Intern Med 2012; 272: 504-13;
  7. Galie N, et al. Eur Respir J 2015; 46: 903–975.
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