[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.
Ishii
Junichi
J
Department of Joint Research Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake 470-1192.
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