C-Reactive Protein and Brain Natriuretic Peptides Harmonization

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Biomarker Standardization
• Cardiovascular Diagnostics

Background:

• Laboratory biomarker harmonization ensures consistent diagnostic outcomes across clinical settings.
• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) are key biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and management.
• Variability in biomarker measurements can impact clinical decision-making and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the harmonization of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) measurements.
• To identify the extent of variability in CRP and NT-proBNP assays.
• To emphasize the need for standardized practices in biomarker measurement for improved healthcare delivery.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on the PubMed database.
• Keywords included C-Reactive Protein, CRP, hs-CRP, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, and NT-proBNP.
• Studies published in English involving human subjects between June 1 and September 26, 2021, were included, resulting in 97 articles for analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant variability persists in the measurement of CRP and NT-proBNP.
• This variability stems from a lack of standardized pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical practices.
• The identified inconsistencies can negatively affect clinical decisions and patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for international standards and guidelines to achieve better harmonization of CRP and NT-proBNP measurements.
• Establishing universal protocols is essential to enhance the reliability of these vital biomarker measurements.
• Improved harmonization will lead to more reliable diagnostic outcomes and better healthcare delivery for cardiovascular diseases.