These ranges are in alignment with ICON age-dependent cutoffs for improved specificity and eliminating interference from Biotin. The general cutoff for heart failure rule-out in outpatients is 125 pg/mL, but not definitive for every patient. See updated reference intervals and interpretative comments below.
Outpatient Setting
For ambulatory patients presenting to outpatient facilities with clinical suspicion of heart failure not previously diagnosed and at least one sign, symptom or risk factor for heart failure, test results should be interpreted as indicated in the table below.
Results (pg/mL)
Age (years)
Interpretation
<125
All
Negative: Heart failure Unlikely
≥ 125
All
Consider Heart Failure as well as other caused of NT-proBNP elevation
Emergency Department (ED) Setting
For patients presenting to Emergency Department/acute settings with acute or worsening dyspnea and clinical suspicion of heart failure, NT-proBNP test results should be interpreted as indicated in the table below:
Results (pg/mL)
Age (years)
Interpretation
<300
All
Negative: Heart failure Unlikely
≥300 to <450
22-49
Gray Zone: Result Indeterminate-Consider other caused of NT-proBNP elevation
≥300 to <900
50-74
≥300 to <1800
≥75
≥450
22-49
Positive: Heart Failure Likely
≥900
50-74
≥1800
≥75
CPT Codes
83880
Collection
Collect
Lithium Heprin Green with gel
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refridgerated
Stability (from collection to initiation)
3 days Refridgerated. 12 Months Frozen
Performed
Longs Peak Hospital
Ordering
Performed
Longs Peak Hospital
Result Interpretation
Reference Interval
These ranges are in alignment with ICON age-dependent cutoffs for improved specificity and eliminating interference from Biotin. The general cutoff for heart failure rule-out in outpatients is 125 pg/mL, but not definitive for every patient. See updated reference intervals and interpretative comments below.
Outpatient Setting
For ambulatory patients presenting to outpatient facilities with clinical suspicion of heart failure not previously diagnosed and at least one sign, symptom or risk factor for heart failure, test results should be interpreted as indicated in the table below.
Results (pg/mL)
Age (years)
Interpretation
<125
All
Negative: Heart failure Unlikely
≥ 125
All
Consider Heart Failure as well as other caused of NT-proBNP elevation
Emergency Department (ED) Setting
For patients presenting to Emergency Department/acute settings with acute or worsening dyspnea and clinical suspicion of heart failure, NT-proBNP test results should be interpreted as indicated in the table below:
Results (pg/mL)
Age (years)
Interpretation
<300
All
Negative: Heart failure Unlikely
≥300 to <450
22-49
Gray Zone: Result Indeterminate-Consider other caused of NT-proBNP elevation
