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Previous Volume 350:2416-2417 June 3, 2004 Number 23 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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To the Editor: Mueller et al. (Feb. 12 issue)¹ conclude that rapid measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide in the emergency department improved the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute dyspnea. The authors state that echocardiography was "strongly recommended." However, they provide no data regarding left ventricular ejection fraction. About half of all patients with heart failure have preserved left ventricular systolic function,² and there are important limitations in the use of B-type natriuretic peptide to diagnose heart failure with preserved systolic function, with considerable overlap in B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients who have heart failure with preserved systolic . . . [Full Text of this Article]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Huang, C-H, Tsai, M-S, Hsieh, C-C, Wang, T-D, Chang, W-T, Chen, W-J (2006). Diagnostic accuracy of tissue Doppler echocardiography for patients with acute heart failure. Heart 92: 1790-1794 [Abstract] [Full Text]