Heart failure remains a significant and often under-recognised clinical condition. Early diagnosis can substantially improve patient management, and BNP/NT-proBNP testing plays a key role in supporting clinical decision-making when the diagnosis is uncertain.
This course reviews current Australian and international guideline recommendations, including rule-out thresholds for acute and chronic heart failure, and clarifies when echocardiography is required. It also explores important interpretation considerations, such as the impact of age, renal dysfunction, COPD, and anaemia on natriuretic peptide levels.
-
Understand the primary role of BNP/NT-proBNP as rule-out tests for suspected heart failure
-
Recognise clinical factors that may falsely elevate natriuretic peptide levels
-
Apply guideline-recommended cut-points for acute and chronic heart failure
-
Understand Medicare considerations for community-based testing
-
Identify when echocardiography is indicated
-
Confidently integrate BNP/NT-proBNP testing into your diagnostic pathway
