[Clinical utility of NT-proBNP, a new biomarker of cardiac function and heart failure].
Recently, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a new biomarker of cardiac function and heart failure, has become available as a clinical laboratory test in Japan. Its diagnostic and prognostic utility appears to be equivalent to BNP in the clinical setting; however, there are some biologic differences between NT-proBNP and BNP. Unlike BNP, NT-proBNP is not degraded in the circulation, and is stable even in serum. It has a longer half-life of approximately 1 to 2 hours, leading to higher circulating levels and slower fluctuations than BNP. Both of these biomarkers are influenced by renal function, but the effect is greater for NT-proBNP. Recently, NT-proBNP has become an important diagnostic tool for assessing patients who present acutely with dyspnea, and provides important prognostic information in both acute and chronic heart failure. Also, monitoring NT-proBNP levels in the outpatient setting is expected to improve patient care and outcomes. Furthermore, a recent study has reported that NT-proBNP may be independently associated with future cardiovascular events in a large community-based cohort free of heart failure. However, NT-proBNP is affected primarily by renal function, gender, age, and obesity, which should be considered when interpreting values.
Department of Joint Research Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake 470-1192.
Junichi
J
Ishii
D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006334:Heart Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D015415:Biomarkers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C449281:TMEM158 protein, human; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain