The N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) assay with the Stratus®CS analyzer

Background: NT proBNP is an efficient biomarker for the evaluation, management and prognosis of patients with heart failure. Methods: We evaluated the analytical performance of the NT proBNP immunoenzymatic assay with the Stratus CS semi-automated analyzer in two hospital laboratories. The characteristics assessed included imprecision, functional sensitivity, linearity/recovery, interferences study, high-dose hook effect and a comparison of Acute Care(TM) pPBNP (on Stratus((R)) CS) versus PBNP (on Dimension((R)) HM) results on patient heparinized plasma samples. Results: Total imprecision reached < 5% coefficient of variation at NT proBNP concentrations of 186-19,649 ng/L; recovery values for diluted samples were between 89.0 and 110.0%; functional sensitivity reached 21 ng/L; there was no high-dose hook effect at concentrations up to 400,000 ng/L; hemaoglobin affected negatively but < 10% the NT proBNP assay, while bilirubin and triglycerides did not affected it more than 5%; Stratus((R))CS results were strongly correlated with Dimension((R))HM results (R-2=1,00). Conclusion: The Stratus((R))CS Acute Care(TM) pPBNP assay demonstrated excellent analytical performance which agreed with the Dimension((R))HM PBNP assay. This analyzer is therefore suitable for use by low NT-proBNP test volume laboratories, and also by Emergency departments and Intensive care units.