Table 2 The conduct of the natriuretic-peptide (NP)-directed clinical trials

Specialist HF clinic

Every 2 weeks

Single target BNP< 50 pg/ml

Specialist HF clinic

Every 3 months

Single target N-BNP < 200 pmol/L

Nurse-led HF clinic

Every 3 months

Individualized according to symptoms in relation to BNP levels.

Specialist care at the clinic

1 month (for 3 months) then 3 months

Single target BNP < 100 pg/ml

Physician clinic visits

Treatment not adjusted throughout study

No BNP target set

Research clinic (with possible specialist input)

Every 3 months

Single target NT-proBNP < 150 pmol/L

Outpatients visits

1, 3, 6, 12, 18 months

NT-proBNP < 400 pg/ml in < 75 years and < 800 pg/ml in ≥ 75 years

Specialist care at the clinic

2 weeks, 1 month, then 3 months

Individualized NT-proBNP < 10% of randomization level

HF specialist clinic

Every 2 weeks till NT-proBNP target met. Then as required.

Single target NT-proBNP < 2200 pg/ml

Primary care centres

10 days, 1, 3, 6, 9 months

Individualized NT-proBNP < 50% from baseline level

Cardiology clinic

1, 2, 3, 6, 24, 18 months

Single target BNP < 100 pg/ml

HF clinic with specialist input

1 week, 1, 2, 3, 4 months after discharge

Individualized BNP < 2 times discharge level

HF clinic

Every 3 months

Single target NT-proBNP ≤ 1000 pg/ml

Outpatient visits

2, 6, 10, 16, 2, 36, 48 weeks, then every 6 months

< 75 years (BNP < 15 ng/L) and ≥75yrs (BNP < 300 ng/L)

Specialist heart failure clinic

Every 1–3 months

Individualised NT-proBNP < 30% of randomization level

Single center, initially in hospital management and then outpatient visits

Frequent visits if NT-proBNP still raised after discharge. Then telephonic follow up at 1, 3, and 6 months

Single target NT-proBNP≤ 3000 pg/ml

Outpatient visits

2 and 6 weeks, then every 3 months

Single target NT-proBNP < 1000 pg/mL.

Intervention carried out in the hospital

1 week and at 1, 3, and 6 months

Individualized to reduce NT-proBNP by at least 30% by discharge