Test ID BNP B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Plasma
Necessary Information
Include patient's age and sex.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into plastic vial. Freeze immediately or within 7 hours of collection.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Cardiovascular Test Request Form (T724) with the specimen.
Secondary ID
83873Useful For
Aiding in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF)
The role of B-type natriuretic peptide in monitoring CHF therapy is under investigation.
Method Name
Immunoenzymatic Assay
Reporting Name
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)Specimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Plasma EDTA | Frozen | 365 days |
Clinical Information
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP, formerly brain natriuretic peptide) is a 32-amino acid-ringed peptide secreted by the heart to regulate blood pressure, and fluid balance.(1) BNP is stored in, and secreted predominantly from, membrane granules in the heart ventricles and is continuously released from the heart in response to both ventricle volume expansion and pressure overload.(2)
The natriuretic peptide system and the renin-angiotensin system counteract each other in arterial pressure regulation. When arterial pressure decreases, the kidneys release renin, which activates angiotensinogen resulting in increased peripheral resistance of the arterioles, thus increasing arterial pressure.
The natriuretic peptides counteract the effects of renin secretion, causing a reduction of blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume.(3) Both BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide are activated by atrial and ventricular distension due to increased intracardiac pressure. These peptides have both natriuretic and diuretic properties: they raise sodium and water excretion by increasing the glomerular filtration rate and inhibiting sodium reabsorption by the kidney.
The New York Heart Association (NYHA) developed a functional classification system for congestive heart failure (CHF) consisting of 4 stages based on the severity of the symptoms. Various studies have demonstrated that circulating BNP concentrations increase with the severity of CHF based on the NYHA classification.(4-6)
Reference Values
Males
≤45 years: ≤35 pg/mL
46 years: ≤36 pg/mL
47 years: ≤37 pg/mL
48 years: ≤38 pg/mL
49 years: ≤39 pg/mL
50 years: ≤40 pg/mL
51 years: ≤41 pg/mL
52 years: ≤42 pg/mL
53 years: ≤43 pg/mL
54 years: ≤45 pg/mL
55 years: ≤46 pg/mL
56 years: ≤47 pg/mL
57 years: ≤48 pg/mL
58 years: ≤49 pg/mL
59 years: ≤51 pg/mL
60 years: ≤52 pg/mL
61 years: ≤53 pg/mL
62 years: ≤55 pg/mL
63 years: ≤56 pg/mL
64 years: ≤57 pg/mL
65 years: ≤59 pg/mL
66 years: ≤60 pg/mL
67 years: ≤62 pg/mL
68 years: ≤64 pg/mL
69 years: ≤65 pg/mL
70 years: ≤67 pg/mL
71 years: ≤69 pg/mL
72 years: ≤70 pg/mL
73 years: ≤72 pg/mL
74 years: ≤74 pg/mL
75 years: ≤76 pg/mL
76 years: ≤78 pg/mL
77 years: ≤80 pg/mL
78 years: ≤82 pg/mL
79 years: ≤84 pg/mL
80 years: ≤86 pg/mL
81 years: ≤88 pg/mL
82 years: ≤91 pg/mL
≥83 years: ≤93 pg/mL
Females
≤45 years: ≤64 pg/mL
46 years: ≤66 pg/mL
47 years: ≤67 pg/mL
48 years: ≤69 pg/mL
49 years: ≤71 pg/mL
50 years: ≤73 pg/mL
51 years: ≤74 pg/mL
52 years: ≤76 pg/mL
53 years: ≤78 pg/mL
54 years: ≤80 pg/mL
55 years: ≤82 pg/mL
56 years: ≤84 pg/mL
57 years: ≤87 pg/mL
58 years: ≤89 pg/mL
59 years: ≤91 pg/mL
60 years: ≤93 pg/mL
61 years: ≤96 pg/mL
62 years: ≤98 pg/mL
63 years: ≤101 pg/mL
64 years: ≤103 pg/mL
65 years: ≤106 pg/mL
66 years: ≤109 pg/mL
67 years: ≤112 pg/mL
68 years: ≤114 pg/mL
69 years: ≤117 pg/mL
70 years: ≤120 pg/mL
71 years: ≤123 pg/mL
72 years: ≤127 pg/mL
73 years: ≤130 pg/mL
74 years: ≤133 pg/mL
75 years: ≤137 pg/mL
76 years: ≤140 pg/mL
77 years: ≤144 pg/mL
78 years: ≤147 pg/mL
79 years: ≤151 pg/mL
80 years: ≤155 pg/mL
81 years: ≤159 pg/mL
82 years: ≤163 pg/mL
≥83 years: ≤167 pg/mL
Cautions
Lack of elevations have been reported if congestive heart failure is very acute (first hour) or with ventricular inflow obstruction (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, mitral stenosis, atrial myxoma).
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating anti-animal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
2 to 3 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83880