Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL plasma
Instructions Collect in EDTA (lavender-top) tube. Separate plasma as soon after collection as possible. Keep refrigerated or frozen after separation.
Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
- Refrigerated, stable 3 days
- Frozen 6 months
Reject Criteria Received room temperature
Methodology Electrochemiluminescence
Clinical Significance BNP is used to aid in the diagnosis of left ventricular dysfunction in heart failure. In contrast with BNP, N-terminal pro-BNP does not have interference with the drug Natrecor® used to treat left ventricular dysfunction.