B-type natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function.
Echocardiography and the B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs) provide powerful incremental assessment of cardiac function, clinical status, and outcome across the spectrum of cardiac disease. There is strong evidence to support their integrated use in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. Amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) or BNP may guide more effective use of echocardiography in screening for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction; Doppler echocardiography improves the accuracy of heart failure diagnosis in the setting of intermediate BNP or NT-proBNP levels. Combined assessment of peptides and echocardiography provides more powerful stratification of risk across all stages of heart failure, and integrated use of both tests may identify subjects with valvular disease at greatest risk for progression and guide decision-making for timely intervention.
University Department of Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand. richard.troughton@cdhb.govt.nz
Richard W
RW
Troughton
A Mark
AM
Richards
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D017725:Ventricular Pressure
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain