Natriuretic peptide testing: a window into the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels can indicate a variety of heart problems, as well as general critical illness. BNP and NT-proBNP assays are useful for evaluating patients with acute dyspnea, as a low level of natriuretic peptide can help rule out congestive heart failure (CHF) and reduce reliance on echocardiography. Conversely, these assays can be particularly useful in recognizing CHF in a patient with acute dyspnea and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, clinical judgment must always be part of the evaluation of BNP or NT-proBNP assay results.
Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
James L
JL
Januzzi
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010808:Physical Examination; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic
D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain