MEANS AND METHODS FOR THE DIFFERENTIATION OF CARDIAC AND PULMONARY CAUSES OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for differentiating in a subjectsuffering fromchronic shortness of breath (dyspnea) between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) acardiovascular complication, (iii) a cardiovascular complication accompaniedby apulmonary disease or (iv) dyspnea without cardiovascular or pulmonary causescomprisingthe steps of determining the amount of a pulmonary surfactant protein in asample of asubject, determining the amount of a natriuretic peptide in a sample of saidsubject, anddifferentiating between (i) a pulmonary disease, (ii) a cardiovascularcomplication, (iii) acardiovascular complication accompanied by a pulmonary disease or (iv) chronicdyspneawithout cardiovascular or pulmonary causes by comparing the amounts determinedin a)and b) with reference amounts. Moreover, the present invention relates to adevice and akit for carrying out said method.