Test Overview
Test Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Test Usage

NT-proBNP levels in pleural fluid are elevated in effusions due to congestive heart failure. Elevated pleural NT-proBNP was demonstrated to out-perform pleural fluid BNP as a marker of heart-failure-related effusion. High pleural levels of NT-proBNP may help confirm heart failure as the cause of otherwise idiopathic chronic effusions. A meta-analysis of 10 studies identified that the average concentrations of pleural fluid NT-proBNP in effusions of cardiac origin was >6,000 pg/ml.

Reference Range *

No reference range established.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Daily, 24 hours a day
Analytic Time

8 hours

Soft Order Code
PBNPF (pleural fluid)
MiChart Code
NT-ProBNP Fluid
Laboratory
Chemical Pathology
Section
Automation
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect pleural fluid in SST or red top tube, or clean container with no preservative. Refrigerate. Pleural fluid must be of liquid consistency for analysis.

Normal Volume
1 ml pleural fluid
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL pleural fluid
Billing
CPT Code
83880
Fee Code
36906
LOINC
33762-6