[B-type natriuretic peptide--current use in the diagnosis and management of heart failure]

Abstract

Abstract B-natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-amino acid polypeptide secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload. BNP levels are elevated in patients with symptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, and levels correlate with severity of symptoms and with prognosis. Numerous studies indicate that BNP may considerably improve the management of patients with heart failure and may become a routine serum parameter in clinical medicine. In this review, the utility of BNP in different clinical settings will be discussed.