Heart Damage Can Be Reversed with Early Treatment Aug 29, 2007
The 10 tests in the Rasmussen Disease Score include: large and small artery elasticity; resting and treadmill exercise blood pressure; carotid artery initial-media thickness; retinal vascular photography; micro-albuminuria; electrocardiography; echocardiography; and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide blood levels. This battery of tests together with a medical exam and counseling is performed in two hours in one location. (Science Daily)
ACC/AHA release revised UA/NSTEMI guidelines Aug 7, 2007
Additional updates to the guidelines include recommendations to discontinue the use of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women; add troponin biomarkers as markers of cardiac damage and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) markers as potentially useful for cardiac risk assessment; and stop the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for all UA/NSTEMI patients during hospitalization. . (EurekAlert!)
New Study Demonstrates Significant Economic and Clinical Value of NT-proBNP Testing for the Management of Heart Failure Jun 19, 2007
The multi-center, randomized-controlled trial conducted on 500 patients in seven hospitals, shows that NT-proBNP (N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide) guided strategy in the management of suspected acute HF in the emergency department (ED) reduced the duration of emergency department (ED) visits by 21 percent (6 ... NT-proBNP and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to provide incremental value in the rapid diagnosis of HF in the emergency room. (PR Newswire)
Blood Test Predicts Mortality In Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients, Says Researcher May 10, 2007
Published in the May 15 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study findings show that the blood level of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a neurohormone released by the heart when it is stressed or damaged, provided a direct relationship with in-hospital mortality. Researchers found that higher BNP levels at admission were predictive of higher in-hospital mortality rates. (Science Daily)
Beckman Coulter and Biosite Amend Definitive Acquisition Agreement May 2, 2007
Scott Garrett, Beckman Coulter's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our priority is to create sustainable value for Beckman Coulter's shareholders. The compelling strategic rationale and economics of this transaction should enable us to achieve this objective at the revised price. Immunoassay testing is a primary growth driver for Beckman Coulter, and we have been expanding this business at 15% to 20% per year -- more than twice the market's growth rate -- for the past several years.... (PR Newswire)
Beckman likely to increase bid for Biosite; Inverness unlikely to withdraw, industry sources say May 1, 2007
Moreover, Biosites market-leading B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test, would provide Inverness with a base into the cardiovascular testing market in which it plans to expand, said Simpson ... Like Inverness, Beckman Coulter also wants Biosites major cardiovascular diagnostic product, the B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) test, in which Biosite currently owns a 40% market share. (FT.com -- Markets)
Inverness Sparks Bidding War for Biosite Apr 6, 2007
Biosite s primary revenue source is a line of products that measures the level of hormone B-type Natriuretic Peptide in hospitalized patients to assess the severity of their heart disease. Inverness markets consumer diagnostics including pregnancy and ovulation as well as a line of cardiac diagnostics. (BusinessWeek)
First Step In Developing Heart Hormone-based Pill To Control High Blood Pressure Mar 28, 2007
The first advance supports the feasibility of developing a peptide-based drug that can be given in pill form to lower high blood pressure, and that is based on a hormone originating in the heart, called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). "Our formulation of an oral peptide is a technological accomplishment that really can advance the field," says John Burnett, Jr., M.D., director of Mayo Clinic's Cardiorenal Research Lab who led both studies. (Science Daily)
A Hefty Price for Biosite Mar 27, 2007
By measuring the level of the hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide, or BNP, the test is designed to help doctors gauge the severity of a patient's heart failure and to guide doctors in future treatment. The machine is a small device that resembles a desktop phone. (BusinessWeek)
Beckman Coulter to Acquire Biosite Incorporated Mar 26, 2007
(Logo: ) Scott Garrett, Beckman Coulter's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "This is an exciting transaction that grew out of our successful relationship with Biosite over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a test that aids in the diagnosis, risk stratification and assessment of severity of heart failure and the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes. It will position Beckman Coulter as a leading provider of immunoassay tests,... (PR Newswire)
Beckman Coulter to buy Biosite for $1.55 billion Mar 26, 2007
The deal grew out of a relationship the two companies had over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide BNP , a test that aids in the diagnosis and severity-assessment of heart problems, said Scott Garrett, Beckman's president and chief executive officer. Beckman said it would use its global presence to broaden the sales of Biosite's immunoassay tests. (ABC News -- Wire)
Beckman to acquire Biosite for $1.5B Mar 26, 2007
The deal grew out of a relationship the two companies had over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a test that aids in the diagnosis and severity-assessment of heart problems, said Scott Garrett, Beckman's president and chief executive officer. Related to this article. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Biomarker Predicts Risk in Stable Coronary Heart Disease Jan 10, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 9 -- B-type natriuretic peptide, a marker of myocardial stretch, predicted adverse coronary outcomes and mortality in patients with stable coronary heart disease, researchers reported ... These findings seem to conflict with those of a Framingham study reported a month ago in which Harvard researchers found that B-type natriuretic peptide, evaluated along with other biomarkers, added little substance to standard cardiovascular risk factors. (MedPage Today)
Biomarkers Little Help for Heart Attacks Dec 24, 2006
In recent years, doctors have been looking at CRP and other substances in the blood homocysteine, and BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide that once seemed like possible and powerful new predictors of a heart attack. My neighbor didn't have diabetes, had normal blood pressure, and was not a smoker, but she has a family history of heart attacks, and her bad cholesterol LDL was a high 159, but her good cholesterol was also a high 70. (ABC News)
New blood tests no better at predicting heart attacks: study Dec 23, 2006
These substances included C-reactive protein, or CRP; homocysteine; and BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide. . (CBC.ca)
Ability Of Biomarkers To Predict Risk Of Heart Disease, Stroke Appears Limited Dec 23, 2006
These include blood levels of C-reactive protein, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been associated with increased risk. However, few studies have looked at the use of multiple biomarkers, either to compare their usefulness or to evaluate the testing of several markers at once. (Science Daily)
Study Casts Doubt on New Blood Tests Dec 23, 2006
These substances included C-reactive protein, or CRP; homocysteine; and BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide. An increasing number of family doctors have been ordering expensive tests for these substances, and some patients have started requesting them, in hopes of identifying people who do not have the standard risk factors but are still likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. (Newsmax)
Heart biomarkers weak predictors Dec 22, 2006
Those biomarkers included levels of homocysteine; C-reactive protein; B-type natriuretic peptide; N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide; aldosterone; renin; fibrinogen; D-dimer; plasminogen-activator inhibitor type-1; and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ... B-type natriuretic peptide, for example, is important in evaluating patients with heart failure ... However, I would not order a test for B-type natriuretic peptide if I was trying to predict a person`s overall risk of suffering a heart... (Monsters and Critics.com)
Blood test not better predictor of heart attack Dec 22, 2006
These substances included C-reactive protein, or CRP; homocysteine; and BNP, or B-type natriuretic peptide. But new research by scientists at the highly regarded Framingham Heart Study, found that tests of CRP, BNP, homocysteine and seven other substances are only a couple of percentage points better at predicting outcomes than the standard, commonsense risk factors that doctors have known for decades. (Xinhuanet, China)
Biomarkers for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and Death Dec 22, 2006
Methods We measured 10 biomarkers in 3209 participants attending a routine examination cycle of the Framingham Heart Study: the levels of C-reactive protein, B-type natriuretic peptide, N-terminal pro atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, renin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, plasminogen-activator inhibitor type 1, and homocysteine; and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ... In Cox proportional-hazards models adjusting for conventional risk factors, the following biomarkers most strongly predicted... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Blood Test Spots Heart Failure Nov 17, 2006
The test of N-Terminal pro B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), a biomarker associated with worsening heart failure, helped physicians decide which patients presenting with shortness of breath had heart failure and which did not. "Imagine a patient who comes into the ER with severe shortness of breath. They could have pneumonia or heart failure, and oftentimes this is a confusing situation," said Dr. Timothy Gardner, medical director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Health at Christiana... (MEDLINEplus)
Clinical characteristics of emergency department heart failure patients initially diagnosed as non-heart failure Nov 15, 2006
014), and less likely to have an elevated b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level (median 518 vs 764 pg/ml; p=0. 038) than those who were given a concordant ED diagnosis of decompensated heart failure. (BioMed Central)
Response Biomedical Initiates US Clinical Trials of RAMP NT-proBNP Test for the Diagnosis of Congestive Heart Failure Aug 3, 2006
NT-proBNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) is a biomarker used widely as an aid in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. NT-proBNP has also been established as a marker for prognosis in ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome). (Canada Newswire)
Tests nail down a killer Jul 5, 2006
One test searches blood for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), another for myeloperoxidase (MPO). BNP is a hormone that's released when tissue in the heart stretches. (Akron Beacon Journal, OH -- Living)
Response Biomedical and Shionogi Finalize Commercialization Agreement For RAMP Cardiovascular Testing in Japan May 15, 2006
Rapid BNP Test For Congestive Heart Failure Receives Japanese Regulatory Clearance Commercial Launch Scheduled For Second Quarter of 2006 VANCOUVER, May 15 /CNW/ - Response Biomedical Corporation (TSX-V: RBM, OTCBB: RPBIF), and Shionogi Ltd. announced today the Companies have entered into a Marketing and Supply Agreement to commercialize a rapid quantitative RAMP test in Japan for BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide), a proprietary cardiac marker test to assist in the diagnosis and management of... (Canada Newswire)
Study may explain why exercise helps heart failure patients Apr 27, 2006
After a heart attack or other cardiac event, the body responds by increasing the production of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) ... Previous studies indicated that patients with higher levels of B-type natriuretic peptide have poorer prognoses ... But in addition, the patients who worked out had decreased levels of three key hormones, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and norepinephrine. (EurekAlert!)
March 28: Biocon wins bid for acquiring Nobex assets » Apr 17, 2006
Biocon wins bid for Nobex assets : HindustanTimes. Monday, April 17, 2006. (Hindustan Times, India)
