Combined use of amino terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and QRS duration to predict left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with dyspnea

The combination of elevated amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and wide QRS duration was highly sensitive and specific for the prediction of impaired left ventricular systolic function among a group of patients presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department. This strategy can be used to predict depressed function and target more formal evaluation with echocardiography in patients with dyspnea. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.