NT-proBNP Testing: SUPERFLEX POCT
Cardiac Biomarker Platform
What are BNP & NT‑proBNP?
BNP and NT‑proBNP are widely used cardiac function biomarkers in clinical practice. They are the preferred biomarkers for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Heart Failure (HF), helping clinicians manage patients through primary and secondary prevention, as well as assessing disease severity and prognosis.
They are also utilized for prognostic assessment in pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and for cardiovascular risk assessment in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery or chemotherapy.
I. Clinical Status of BNP & NT‑proBNP
Currently, BNP/NT‑proBNP are primarily applied in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognostic analysis of heart failure. In the human body, the half-life of BNP is approximately 22 minutes, and its poor stability makes it less ideal for laboratory measurement.
In contrast, NT‑proBNP has a half-life of 120 minutes and is stable in vitro, making it more suitable for laboratory testing. Its concentration in heart failure patients is 1–10 times higher than that of BNP, making it a more stable marker for heart failure evaluation. High-sensitivity Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) is the universal methodology for these tests.
II. Differences between BNP & NT‑proBNP
1. Similar Biological Homology and Clinical Significance
Both BNP and NT‑proBNP are cardiac biomarkers with similar biological origins, both being cleavage products of proBNP. Their clinical value is fundamentally similar as the preferred biomarkers for heart failure diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and assessment of severity and prognosis.
2. NT‑proBNP is more "Laboratory-Friendly"
- Broader Sample Compatibility: NT‑proBNP can be tested using whole blood, plasma, or serum, whereas BNP is restricted to whole blood or EDTA-anticoagulated plasma.
- Superior Stability: NT‑proBNP exhibits better in vitro stability. Serum or plasma samples are stable for at least 7 days at room temperature and can withstand five freeze-thaw cycles, facilitating routine clinical transport.
3. Medication Susceptibility
BNP testing is significantly affected by Sacubitril/Valsartan (ARNI) and recombinant human BNP, while NT‑proBNP levels remain largely unaffected.
III. Interpretation of Expert Consensus
In 2022, China released the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Laboratory Testing and Clinical Application of B-type Natriuretic Peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide," providing recommendations for their clinical use.
| Category | Condition / Cut-off |
|---|---|
| Exclusion of Chronic HF | BNP < 35 ng/L or NT‑proBNP < 125 ng/L |
| Exclusion of Acute HF | BNP < 100 ng/L or NT‑proBNP < 300 ng/L |
| Rule-in Acute HF (<50 yrs) | NT‑proBNP > 450 ng/L |
| Rule-in Acute HF (50–75 yrs) | NT‑proBNP > 900 ng/L |
| Rule-in Acute HF (>75 yrs) | NT‑proBNP > 1800 ng/L |
IV. SUPERFLEX POCT Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Platform — Cardiac Markers
The SUPERFLEX POCT Immunoassay platform is built on the pillars of "Precision" and "Flexibility." Focusing on critical and emergency care, it provides reliable diagnostic results for clinical departments, ER labs, and central laboratories.
The cardiovascular panel includes hs-cTnI, MYO, CK-MB, NT‑proBNP, and D-Dimer. It utilizes the Acridinium Ester Magnetic Particulate Chemiluminescence principle for higher accuracy. The reagent cartridge and fully automated operation combine the simplicity and speed of POCT (Point-of-Care Testing) with the performance of high-end lab systems.
Rapid Detection
Results in 6–14 minutes. Integrated single-test cartridges prevent cross-contamination and reagent waste.
High Accuracy
Comparable to large-scale CLIA platforms and highly correlated with mainstream imported systems.
Stable System
Calibration is valid for up to 28 days, ensuring consistent performance in high-pressure clinical environments.
Multiple Sample Types
Supports multiple sample types including serum, plasma, and whole blood to meet diverse testing needs.
