Combined use of amino terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and QRS duration to predict left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with dyspnea

The combination of elevated amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and wide QRS duration was highly sensitive and specific for the prediction of impaired left ventricular systolic function among a group of patients presenting with dyspnea to the emergency department. This strategy can be used to predict depressed function and target more formal evaluation with echocardiography in patients with dyspnea.