The utility of B-type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of heart failure in the emergency department: a systematic review

Table 2 Quality measures of included studies

Study, Year	Were important inclusions and exclusions explained?	Was patient spectrum clearly defined?*	Was the diagnosis of HF determined without knowledge of the BNP result?	Was agreement reported for the reference standard?	Was selection bias present?	Was verification bias present?	Were withdrawals explained?
Jourdain 2002	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Logeart 2002	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Maisel 2002	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Possible	No	N/A†
Morrison 2002	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	N/A†
Villacorta 2002	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	N/A†
Lainchbury 2003	No	No	Yes	No	Possible	Possible	N/A†
Knudsen 2004	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Possible	N/A†
Ray 2004	Yes	No	Yes	No	Possible	No	Yes
Alibay 2005	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	N/A†
Mueller 2005	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	Yes

*Information available on age, gender, race, prevalence of a HF history and history of asthma and/or COPD, and the percentage of patients admitted to the hospital.

ISSN: 1471-227X