Plasma BNP and NT-proBNP assays by automated immunoanalyzers: analytical and clinical study.

The plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides, BNP and NTproBNP, have been shown to be markers for the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF). In this study, plasma BNP and NTproBNP concentrations were evaluated and stratified according to renal function, body mass index (BMI), and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. Comparison studies between the 2 natriuretic peptide markers were performed.