What are the diagnostic implications of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with chronic symptomatic systolic heart failure?
According to Tang et al. (2003), plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels can be used to diagnose chronic symptomatic systolic heart failure. The study found that elevated plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly associated with a diagnosis of symptomatic systolic heart failure. Additionally, the study found that the sensitivity and specificity of the test for diagnosing systolic heart failure was 81.4% and 90.2% respectively. This suggests that measuring B-type natriuretic peptide levels can be a useful tool for diagnosing systolic heart failure. 