title: N-terminal proBNP: a novel biomarker for the diagnosis, risk stratification and management of congestive heart failure.
abstract: Congestive heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is now the leading cause of hospitalizations in adults over 65 years of age with an estimated annual expenditure in excess of USD 20 billion. In addition, it is the only cardiovascular disorder that continues to increase in both incidence and prevalence, and as the population continues to age, it is expected that the prevalence of this disease will continue to rise. Ironically, the armamentarium of medications that decrease mortality due to congestive heart failure also continues to grow; however, the relative number of eligible patients with congestive heart failure (or at risk for congestive heart failure) that receive these important therapies remains low. Thus, better tools to aid the early diagnosis and management of this disease are needed. Testing for natriuretic peptide markers, such as B-type natriuretic peptide or its amino-terminal fragment, has emerged as an important tool to assist in the optimal diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with congestive heart failure and may also play a valuable role in guiding therapy.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey 5800, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donoghue
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Januzzi
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain