NT-proBNP-guided HF management cuts ED costs 15%

The diagnostics unit of Swiss drug major Roche says that a study published in the June 15 issue of the journal Circulation demonstrates the effective use of NT-proBNP (N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide), its breakthrough marker for suspected heart failure, for use in both point-of-care and laboratory testing.

The Canada-based, multicenter, randomized-controlled trial conducted on 500 patients in seven hospitals, shows that NT-proBNP-guided strategy in the management of suspected acute HF in the emergency department reduced the duration of ED visits 21% (6.3 to 5.6 hours, p =0.031); numbers of patients re-hospitalized over 60 days 35% (51 to 33, p=0.046) and direct medical costs of all ED visits, hospitalizations and subsequent outpatient services 15% ($6,129 to $5,180 per patient, p=0.023) over 60 days from enrolment. With the total annual cost of managing HF estimated to be between $1.4 billion and $2.3 billion, this can be calculated as potential annual savings to the Canadian health care system of between $210.0 million and $345.0 million, Roche noted.