Background

measurement of plasma natriuretic peptide levels has been proposed as a simple, accessible test to assist the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Most studies have been hospital based and have investigated the relationship between natriuretic peptides and cardiac dysfunction or heart failure in younger populations.

Objective

we performed a systematic review to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma natriuretic peptide measurement in elderly patients from the general population.

Methods

electronic searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1985 to May 2008 were performed. Diagnostic cohort and cross-sectional studies on the accuracy of natriuretic peptides for diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction or chronic heart failure in people aged 75 and over in the community were included. The quality of the selected studies was assessed with the modified QUADAS tool and the data extracted by two independent reviewers.

Results

five studies were included. The general quality of the studies was moderate. The extracted data could not be pooled. Negative likelihood ratios for cardiac dysfunction ranged from 0.09 to 0.29.

Conclusion

we found limited evidence supporting the use of plasma natriuretic peptide measurement for diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction or heart failure in the elderly of 75 years and over in the general population. Important questions about the implementation of plasma natriuretic peptide measurement in daily practice remain unresolved.