Prairie Heart first in area to use new test for congestive heart failure

SPRINGFIELD -- Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's today announced a new test is being used to aid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, a serious and often fatal heart condition.
The Triage BNP Test is the first blood test to be cleared in the United States as an aid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. It is particularly helpful in emergency situations when patients are
experiencing shortness of breath. Until now, diagnosis has been difficult because shortness of breath is a symptom of both chronic lung disease and congestive heart failure. The test measures circulating
levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that are elevated during heart dysfunction in both early and late-stage congestive heart failure patients. St. John's Hospital is the first in the area to use the
test.

"Since the introduction of echocardiography in the 1970's, there have been few significant advancements in diagnosing congestive heart failure," said Dr. Stephen Jennison, director of the
Heart Failure program at Prairie Heart Institute. "Prior to this test, physicians relied on x-ray and physical evaluation of these patients, however, the information was sometimes subjective, resulting in
misdiagnosis of the disease. This blood test will play an important role in improving early detection of congestive heart failure, enabling physicians to provide more timely treatment of this progressive
disease."

The Triage BNP Test is being used to facilitate accurate diagnosis of patients who are experiencing shortness of breath or other symptoms associated with heart failure. The fifteen-minute test
assesses a patient's status by measuring BNP, which is released by the left ventricle of the heart when it experiences overload or stress. The resulting loss in pumping action is viewed as an important clinical determinant in diagnosing congestive heart failure.

"Patients exhibiting shortness of breath and other symptoms of congestive heart
failure account for millions of emergency room visits in the U.S. each year," said Dr. Jennison. "Many have several health conditions, making it difficult to determine which is the source of the problem. When a patient is in distress, time is crucial. A rapid, quantitative test will help us determine quickly and objectively whether the problem is attributable to congestive heart failure, thereby leading us to begin treatment and possibly save lives. This is an especially useful test because it helps the clinician differentiate between shortness of breath due to chronic lung disease versus heart disease, as only the latter will cause a significant rise in the BNP," he concluded.