Characteristics of patients referred with suspected heart failure using NICE guideline NTproBNP cut-offs according to target waiting time pathways
| All patients (N=1271) | 2WP (n=667) | 6WP (n=604) | P value | |
| Age (years) | 80 (73–85) | 82 (74–86) | 79 (73–84) | <0.001 |
| Male | 591 (47%) | 343 (51%) | 248 (41%) | <0.001 |
| NTproBNP (pg/mL) | 1851 (834–3633) | 3519 (2439–5729) | 875 (621–1190) | <0.001 |
| Haemoglobin (g/L) | 128 (115–140) | 125 (112–138) | 130 (119–140) | <0.001 |
| Creatinine (µmol/L) | 90 (73–113) | 96 (77–124) | 84 (69–101) | <0.001 |
| History of myocardial infarction | 190 (15%) | 146 (22%) | 44 (7%) | <0.001 |
| Atrial fibrillation | 641 (51%) | 392 (59%) | 249 (42%) | <0.001 |
| Hypertension | 833 (66%) | 402 (61%) | 431 (72%) | <0.001 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 272 (21%) | 153 (23%) | 119 (20%) | 0.16 |
Continuous data are presented as median (IQR).
P values refer to comparisons between patients referred to 2WP and 6WP pathways.
NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; NTproBNP, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide ; 2WP, 2-week pathway; 6WP, 6-week pathway.