Biological variation for N-terminal pro- and B-type natriuretic peptides and implications for therapeutic monitoring of patients with congestive heart failure

Given the limitations of low enrollments, this study suggests that a change of 130% for B-type natiuretic peptide (BHP) and 90% for N-terminal (NT) -proBNP are necessary before results of serially collected data can be considered statistically different. This study also shows that there are important differences in the performance of BNP versus NT-proBNP in monitoring patients with congestive heart failure that need to be further explored. (C) 2003 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.