Table 2. Potential factors affecting the GP's decision on referral for echocardiography in patients with an elevated natriuretic peptide level
n (%)Referred n = 166Not referred n = 228P value
BNP slightly elevated (35–50 pg/ml)31/161 (19.3)79/216 (36.6)<0.001
NT-proBNP slightly elevated (125–300 pg/ml)2/5 (40.0)8/12 (66.7)0.593
Abnormal ECG45 (70.3)19 (38.0)0.002
Known to cardiologist before NP testing76 (45.8)142 (62.3)0.002
Telephone contact with cardiologist after NP testing31 (18.7)29 (12.7)0.138

  • Data presented as absolute count (%). ECG = electrocardiogram. NT-proBNP = N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. NP = natriuretic peptide