title: Natriuretic Peptides and Analytical Barriers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The natriuretic peptide system is an endocrine, autocrine and paracrine system that plays an important role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Biomarkers based on these peptides are important diagnostic and prognostic tools for myocardial function.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although natriuretic peptides were discovered more than 2 decades ago, their intricate and complex biology is associated with important questions not yet elucidated. The diversity of circulating forms of natriuretic peptides, the distinct expression of these forms in particular patients, and the heterogeneity of heart failure forms, along with specific assay-related and preanalytic issues, cause assays to be poorly harmonized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review presents the relevant issues related to the biology of natriuretic peptides and differences between assays with immediate implications for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Vlad C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Vasile
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, Rochester, MN; jaffe.allan@mayo.edu.|Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Allan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jaffe
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides