Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of the Clinical Value of NT-proBNP (or BNP) Measurement, Alone or in Combination With the EPOF Questionnaire, for the Screening of Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) in Adults Aged 40 Years and Older Referred for a Cardiology Consultation Without Suspected CHF.

This observational study aims to evaluate whether measuring NT-proBNP (or BNP), either on its own or alongside the EPOF questionnaire, can improve the early detection of chronic heart failure (CHF) in adults aged 40 years or over who are referred for an outpatient cardiology evaluation and have no known or suspected CHF. The study will address the following questions: Does systematic NT-proBNP (or BNP) testing help to identify previously unrecognised CHF? Does combining NT-proBNP (or BNP) with the EPOF questionnaire enhance diagnostic accuracy compared with using each tool alone? Participants will attend their routine cardiology consultation, complete the EPOF questionnaire and undergo NT-proBNP (or BNP) testing as part of the clinical assessment. They will also allow the collection of relevant medical data. The diagnostic performance of these tools will then be compared with the final diagnosis made by the outpatient cardiologist. The study focuses on a population referred from primary care with increased cardiovascular risk. The early use of simple, accessible tools could reduce diagnostic delays, improve referral appropriateness and facilitate the earlier detection of CHF in general practice.

Population-based Atrial Fibrillation Screening in Individuals With NT-proBNP Above Median in the Tromsø Study

The aim is to investigate whether screening with long-term ECG monitoring in individuals with elevated NT-proBNP leads to a lower incidence of ischeamic stroke and death from vascular causes. The project is a sub-study within the 8th wave of the population based Tromsø Study. Information on previous diseases, medication use, and risk factors is collected through questionnaires, blood samples, and measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, and ECG. A total of 4,000 individuals with NT-proBNP levels above the median, without previously known atrial fibrillation (AF) or ongoing anticoagulation therapy, will be randomized to either long-term heart rhythm monitoring (7 days) or a control group without long-term ECG monitoring (2,000 in each group). Individuals with AF in the intervention group will be offered anticoagulation therapy in accordance with current guidelines. The intervention group and the control group will be compared with regards to incident stroke and death within a 6-year follow-up period. Information on endpoints and anticoagulation use will be obtained through linkage to national registries.

Association of Plasma N-terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels With the Burden of Coronary Artery Disease

This study aim to investigate the association between plasma NT-proBNP levels and the presence, extent and severity of stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.