Figure 3.
The proposed sST2-aided management of patients with dyspnea and elevated NPs is shown in the flowchart. In dyspneic patients with elevated NPs, sST2 levels can help to identify 3 classes of patients. If sST2 < 35 ng/mL, the diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is unlikely. In patients with 35 ≤ sST2 ≤ 70 ng/mL, ADHF is more common but mild to moderate. If sST2 > 70 ng/mL, ADHF is common, requiring hospitalization and anti-remodeling therapies. The panels below suggest actions for each class of patients.
