The role of B-type natiuratic peptide in heart failure

Abstract

B type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone secreted mainly from ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload and it has diuretic, natriuertic and vasodilatator effects. Increased BNP level is important in determining heart failure in a patient presenting with respiratory failure. Additionally, it has been reported that BNP is useful in the diagnosis and classification of cardiac failure, determining the prognosis of cardiac failure, and assessing the efficiency of treatment in cardiac failure. Recently, it has been reported that nesiritid, a recombinant BNP is useful to use in addition to other therapy methods in severe cardiac failure. In this paper, we discuss the role in the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac failure, and assessing the efficiency of treatment in cardiac failure.