Diagnosis of Heart Failure:

LABORATORY TESTS

BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) greater than 100 pg/mL (greater than 100 ng/L or 28.9 pmol/L) or N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) greater than 300 pg/mL (greater than 300 ng/L or greater than 35.4 pmol/L).

Electrocardiogram (ECG): May be normal or could show numerous abnormalities including acute ST-T–wave changes from myocardial ischemia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and LV hypertrophy.

Serum creatinine: May be increased owing to hypoperfusion; preexisting renal dysfunction can contribute to volume overload.

Complete blood count: Useful to determine if HF is due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Chest x-ray: Useful for detection of cardiac enlargement, pulmonary edema, and pleural effusions.

Echocardiogram: Used to assess LV size, valve function, pericardial effusion, wall motion abnormalities, and ejection fraction.