Aid in determining whether dyspnea is related to acute or worsening heart failure versus shortness of breath unrelated to heart function (such as lung infection or inhalation of a toxic gas).
Testing cannot be added on to a specimen which has been stored at room temperature for more than 4 hours
Immediately after collection, mix tube thoroughly by gentle inversion, 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting
Frozen - 3 months (preferred)
Refrigerated - 24 hours
Ambient - 4 hours
Fluorescence Immunoassay
Male: <100 pg/mL
Female:
<75 yrs: <150 pg/mL
>75 yrs: <265 pg/mL