Heart failure profile-maxi tests

This test is done in cases of Left ventricular failure or heart failure to assess the extent of damage to the heart. The cause for heart failure can be purely due to heart or even due to certain other conditions like kidney disorders or critical illness. The various tests included are: NT-Pro BNP: These are proteins found in the blood vessels and the heart that are used to measure injury to the heart muscles. HsCRP: C Reactive Protein is an acute phase reactant in inflammation. High-sensitivity CRP is a useful test for determining risk of CVD, heart attacks, and strokes and evaluating a person before development of one of these health problems. Troponin 1 : It is a cardiac marker elevated in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. Highly sensitive assay can detect elevated levels of Troponin-I as early as within 3 hours after the onset of chest pain. Uric acid test: This test is commonly used to diagnose gout and as a follow-up investigations in patient with chronic kidney disease. It is also tested for in patients of cancer and on cytotoxic drugs. Creatinine serum test is done to diagnose kidney diseases, to determine the kidney status due to long standing diabetes or hypertension, or in chronic kidney disorders to understand the progression of the disease and the need for dialysis. It may also be done as part of complete metabolic panel to diagnose metabolic disorders.

These tests help detect left ventricular collapse or heart failure and diagnose underlying conditions causing it. It includes:

• NT-pro BNP: Natriuretic protein levels help understand the nature of heart functioning and underlying blood vessels. 
• Hs-CRP: High sensitivity C-reactive protein test diagnoses underlying inflammation. It helps detect various health problems, including cardiac issues like CHD, atherosclerosis, and heart attack.
• Troponin 1: A cardiovascular protein, troponin 1 helps predict acute cardiac issues like atherosclerosis to predict the imminent risk of a heart attack.
• Uric acid test: A vital biomolecule, excess uric acid in patients indicates chronic kidney issues or severe gout. It predicts heart health and is a critical marker for detecting underlying complications.
• Creatinine serum test: Creatinine is a biomolecule found in chronic kidney patients needing dialysis. It helps detect heart problems and predict cardiac risk among hypertensive patients. 

The test measures the levels of NT-proBNP, HsCRP, uric acid, creatinine, troponin I in the blood.

The mentioned tests help detect natriuretic proteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive proteins, troponin 1, uric acid, and creatinine in blood to diagnose underlying cardiac complications in the patient.

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

High NT-Pro BNP levels indicate an acute myocardial infarction and are elevated in case of a recent heart attack. High HsCRP is a sensitive predictor of increased cardiovascular risk in both men and women. It is used for assessment of risk of developing Myocardial infarction in patients presenting with Acute coronary syndrome. It also assesses risk of developing Cardiovascular disease or ischemic event in individuals who do not manifest disease at present. High troponin 1 levels are seen in myocardial infarction. It is also a prognostic marker in patients with acute coronary syndrome and to identify the risk of future cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, ischaemic stroke, coronary revascularisation, and cardiovascular death in asymptomatic people. High serum creatinine levels signify poor functioning of the kidneys. This may occur due to kidney disorders, chronic diabetes, autoimmune disorders and metabolic syndromes. Low creatinine levels may occur due to muscular disorders (loss of muscle bulk), excessive fluid loss and certain medications. High uric acid levels are associated with numerous renal and metabolic disorders i.e., renal failure, gout, leukaemia, psoriasis, starvation or other wasting conditions and subjects receiving cytotoxic drugs Low levels of uric acid can be seen in liver disease, Renal tubular absorption defects and over treatment of gout Chronic kidney disorders leading to renal failure are common causes of heart failure or LVF.

The patient needs no special preparation as the blood samples required for diagnosis may be collected both in an empty or filled stomach, as per convenience. Besides, it requires no clinical precaution unless your physician mentions it. 

The patient can expect blood sample collection from the cubital vein. The phlebotomist ties the tourniquet to the upper arm and asks the patient to make a fist, ensuring vein prominence. The withdrawal spot gets sterilised, and a hypodermic syringe makes an incision to withdraw blood, which gets stored in a vacutainer to transfer for tests. 

Here's more about the pathological levels of heart failure profile-maxi tests:

NT-pro BNP

• Normal (< 100 pg/ml) under 75 years  
• (< 450 pg/ml) over 75 years. 
• Risk (> 900 pg/ml)

Hs-CRP

• Low (< 1.0 mg/dl)
• Average (1.0 - 3.0 mg/dl)
• High (> 3.0 mg/dl)

Hs-CRP > 10.0 mg/dl shows severe inflammation.

Troponin 1

• Average (0.01 - 0.04 ng/ml)
• Risk (> 0.04 ng/ml)

Uric acid test

Males

• Low (< 2.5 mg/dl) 
• Average (2.5 - 7.0 mg/dl) 
• Risk (> 7.0 mg/dl)

Females

• Low (< 1.5 mg/dl) for females
• Average (1.5 - 6.0 mg/dl)
• Risk (> 6.0 mg/dl)

Creatinine serum test

• Average for females over 16 (0.6 - 1.1 mg/dl)
• Average for males over 16 (0.8 - 1.3 mg/dl)
• Infants (0.2 mg/dl and more)

Atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis, also known as coronary heart disease (CAD), leads to the clogging of the coronary arteries responsible for blood supply to the heart muscles. It can lead to cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, chest pain, and cardiac arrest without prompt treatment.

NT-pro BNP

Homocysteine

Troponin 1

Uric acid