Objectives The role of point-of-care testing (POCT) out of hospital, especially in home care and ambulatory care settings, is an issue meriting further research. We reviewed studies reporting cardiovascular events as a result of the implementation of B-type natriuretic peptide or N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide POCT (BNP/NT-proBNP POCT) for heart disease patients in the settings. Design Articles were searched via a PubMed engine until May 30, 2020. Results In total, six studies were selected. Three studies involving ambulatory care used the POCT to refer patients with suspected heart diseases to a specialist. The other three used the tests in home care to monitor patients with heart failure. In ambulatory care, the randomized controlled trials, in which referrals were made to a specialist, showed that the group using POCT had significantly fewer cardiovascular outcomes, such as hospitalizations and deaths, than the non-use group. In home care, adverse outcomes were predicted from changes in BNP levels. Conclusions In most studies, the use of BNP/NT-proBNP POCT in home care and ambulatory care settings demonstrated favorable results regarding the cardiovascular outcomes. The utility of POCT in the settings is suggested, while more investigations are required.

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