Response Biomed’s CHF Test OK’D in Canada
June 12, 2007
Canadian firm Response Biomedical said Tuesday it has been granted approval to market its NT-proBNP congestive heart failure marker test in Canada.
The company said the new test — which has not yet gained approval in the United States — helps diagnose individuals suspected of having congestive heart failure, and may also aid in stratifying the risk of patients with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure.
The tests works by measuring levels of the peptide NT-proBNP, an elevation of which indicates the presence of heart failure.
CHF affects almost 17 million people worldwide, and is the most common cause for hospitalization in people over age 65, the company said.