Hand-held cardiac ultrasound examinations performed in primary care patients by nonexperts to identify reduced ejection fraction

Table 5 Heart failure types and their relationship with natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in primary care patients^a

Heart failure type	NT-proBNP (ng/L), median (min - max)	Number of patients (%)
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)	757 (131–9923)	50 (31.6%)
Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF)	1311 (239–2656)	11 (7.0%)
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)	931 (709–5595)	7 (4.4%)
Heart-failure criteria not fulfilled	65 (5–1292)	90 (57.0%)

^aPatients were examined with comprehensive cardiac ultrasound (n = 158)
NT-proBNP N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide, serum level in ng/L. HFpEF was defined as LVEF ≥50%, NT-proBNP > 125 ng/L, and at least one additional criterion; a) signs of relevant structural heart disease (LVH and/or LAE) or b) diastolic dysfunction. HFmrEF was defined as LVEF 40 to 49%, NT-proBNP > 125 ng/L, and at least one additional criterion; a) or b). HFrEF was defined as LVEF <40%. LVH Left ventricular hypertrophy, LAE Left atrial enlargement

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