Test Code: 37386 / 59630* (*59630 is only to be used when specimen is dropped off at hospital or dropped off at DLO Central Lab during weekends and holidays)
CPT Code(s): 83880 *CPT Code is subject to a Medicare Limited Coverage Policy and may require a signed ABN when ordering.
Methodology: Immunoassay (IA)
Clinical Significance: B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is increased in congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, acute myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, and hypertension. Elevations are also observed in pulmonary hypertension (indicating right ventricular dysfunction), acute lung injury, hypervolemic states, chronic renal failure and cirrhosis. Decreasing levels indicate therapeutic response to anti-hypertensive therapy.
Alternate Name(s): Brain Natriuretic Peptide, BNP
Supply: Supply #T59 EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Preferred Specimen: Plasma
Preferred Volume: 1 mL / *2 mL when using test code 59630
Transport Container: Transport tube
Transport Temperature: Frozen
Specimen Requirements: Collect blood into a plastic lavender-top tube (EDTA). Centrifuge tube and separate plasma into a plastic specimen transport tube within 1 hour. Freeze plasma immediately.
Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 1 hour
- Refrigerated: 1 hour
- Frozen: 9 months
Rejection Criteria:
- Collected in a glass tube / PPT potassium EDTA (white-top) tube
- Hemolysis
- What are hemolyzed specimens?
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Hemolysis occurs when the red cells are damaged during sample collection causing them to rupture. Hemolyzed serum or plasma is pale pink to red rather than the normal clear straw or pale-yellow color.
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- What causes a specimen to be hemolyzed?
- Mixing tubes too vigorously
- Placing tubes in the refrigerator without allowing 30 minutes at room temperature for complete clotting
- Exposure to heat or in a refrigerator that is too cold
- Using a needle with too small of a bore necessary for the venipuncture
- Using too large a tube when using a butterfly needle
- Not allowing sufficient time for alcohol to dry on puncture site
- Leaving the tourniquet on for longer than one minute
- How can hemolyzed specimens be prevented?
- For routine collections, use a 20–22-gauge needle
- Do not remove the needle from the vein with the vacuum tube engaged
- Do not collect a specimen in a hematoma
- Do not centrifuge the specimen for a prolonged period of time
- Draw the sample gently and evenly
- What are hemolyzed specimens?
Patient Preparation: No patient preparation is required.
Special Notes: Heterophile antibodies (antibodies to animal immunoglobulins) present in the patient's blood could cause anomalous results.
For additional supply or collection device information, please contact DLO's Customer Service at (800) 891-2917, option 2.
The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed.