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

Table 6 Diagnostic outcomes by NT-proBNP (125 ng/L cut-off)

Diagnostic outcome	NT-proBNP > 125 ng/L (n = 94), n (%)	NT-proBNP ≤125 ng/L (n = 64), n (%)	P value for difference
HFpEF	50 (53.2%)	NA	NA
HFmrEF	11 (11.7%)	NA	NA
HFrEF	7 (7.4%)	0	0.042
Heart-failure criteria not fulfilled	26 (27.7%)	64 (100%)	< 0.001

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. Patients were treated in a primary care setting and examined by comprehensive cardiac ultrasound (n = 158)

ISSN: 1472-6920