Abstract
Heart failure is common and difficult to diagnosis by history and physical exam alone. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are synthesized and released in the setting of volume overload and ventricular wall stretch. They have an important physiologic role and are elevated in the setting of heart failure. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are useful in both diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure. NPs should not be used in isolation and there are caveats to their interpretation. In the future, new biomarkers may be used in conjunction with NPs to aid in the treatment, prognosis, and diagnosis of heart failure. This chapter discusses the physiology of NPs, the role of BNP and NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of heart failure, the caveats to NP interpretation, and the emerging biomarkers in heart failure.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
