title: The prognostic value of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide.
abstract: The heart is not only a pump, but also it is an endocrine organ. Cardiac stretch and overload stimulate the secretion of natriuretic peptides, which have a variety of beneficial actions, such as vasodilation and natriuresis. Cardiac-derived natriuretic peptides, especially B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), have emerged as useful biomarkers for the diagnosis, and potentially the treatment, of heart failure patients. The inactive amino-terminal fragment of the BNP prohormone (NT-proBNP), which is more stable than mature BNP, has also been recognized as an aid in the diagnosis of left-ventricular systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, elevated NT-proBNP concentrations have been shown to be predictive of poor prognosis in a variety of cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that it could be useful for risk stratification of patients. This review summarizes current literature that has addressed the issue of NT-proBNP as a prognostic tool in heart failure, acute coronary syndromes and other conditions.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. costello.lisa@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Costello-Boerrigter
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013577:Syndrome; D013599:Systole; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain