Point-of-care NT-proBNP monitoring for heart failure: observational feasibility study in primary care

BACKGROUND: Around one million individuals in the UK have heart failure (HF), a chronic disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) monitoring could help improve the care of patients with HF in the community. AIM: The aim of this study is to provide evidence to support the routine use of point-of-care (POC) NT-proBNP monitoring in primary care. DESIGN & SETTING: In this observational cohort study, the Roche Cobas h 232 POC device was used to measure NT-proBNP in 27 patients with HF at 0, 6, and 12 months, with a subset reanalysed in the laboratory for comparison. METHOD: Data were analysed for within-person and between-person variability and concordance with laboratory readings using Passing–Bablok regression. GPs reported whether POC results impacted clinical decisionmaking, and patients indicated their willingness to participate in long-term cohort studies using the Likert acceptability scale. RESULTS: Within-person variability in POC NT-proBNP over 12 months was 881 pg/mL (95% confidence interval [CI] = 380 to 1382 pg/mL). Between-person variability was 1972 pg/mL (95% CI = 1,525 to 2791 pg/mL). Passing–Bablok regression showed no significant systematic difference between POC and laboratory measurements. Patients indicated a high level of acceptability, and GP decisionmaking was affected for at least one visit in a third of patients. CONCLUSION: Within-person variability in POC NT-proBNP is around half of between-person variability, so detecting changes could be of use in HF management. High patient acceptability and impact on clinical decisionmaking warrant further investigation in a larger long-term cohort study.