Diagnostic Tests for Heart Failure

Test Normal Range Info

Atrial Natriuretic 44-147 Released in result of the compensatory mechanisms but may only be
Peptide (ANP) effective short term

Brain Natriuretic < 100 As HF worsens ANP/BNP levels will rise

Peptide
(BNP) BNP more typically ordered for HF

Serum Electrolytes Na: 135-145 Monitor closely!!

Cl: 95-105 Serum osmolality may be low because of fluid retention
K: 3.5-5.0 **especially potassium (K+) due to diuretic use
Ph: 2.5-4.5
Ca: 9-11
Mg: 1.5-2.5;

Urinalysis, BUN, BUN: 5-20 Shows how HF is affecting overall renal function
serum creatinine Creatinine: 0.5-1.2 Should be drawn daily!!
UA: no protein present*

Liver Function Tests CPK (males) - 39-308 Especially concerned with R sided HF with edema, liver engorgement
CPK (females) - 26-192 (CPK, etc), generally increase as HF worsens

Thyroid Function hypo-/hyper-thyroid conditions can mimic HF

Tests

ABGs pH: 7.25-7.45 Should be ordered because L sided HF affects oxygenation and gas
PaCO2: 35-45 exchange
HCO3: 22-28
PaO2: 75-100

Chest X-Ray Can help detect fluid in the lungs and myocardial hypertrophy

ECG Can detect complications of HF such as dysrhythmias (A-Fib)

Echocardiogram Will help determine heart activity, size, and function

Will give you the ejection fraction (EF) - the measure of the % of blood
flow out of the ventricles with each contraction (50-70%)

Hemodynamic Invasive catheter (arterial line) is inserted into the jugular/subclavian vein
Monitoring that then measures HR, arterial BP, CV or R arterial pressure, pulmonary
pressures, and CO; used in critically ill or unstable patients