title: The integration of BNP and NT-proBNP into clinical medicine.
abstract: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NTproBNP have been shown to be extremely helpful in the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure (HF). These neurohormones are predominately secreted from the left and the right cardiac ventricle in response to volume and pressure overload. BNP and NT-proBNP can be seen as quantitative markers of HF summarizing the extent of systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction. Research data from clinical studies and six years of clinical experience with BNP allow us to provide clear recommendations regarding the integration of BNP/NT-proBNP into clinical medicine. With multiple additional indications in prospect, current evidence clearly supports the use of BNP and NT-proBNP in three clinical settings: patients with acute dyspnoea, prior to discharge in patients hospitalised with acute HF, and the longterm management of patients with HF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. chmueller@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Breidthardt
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laule-Kilian
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christ
authors.forename: André P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Perruchoud
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain