Natriuretic Peptides in the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Heart Failure

Abstract

Circulating levels of the BNP system can help in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and provide prognostic information not only for patients who have HF but also for the general population and other patient groups. Changes over time also carry prognostic information, and studies are assessing BNP-guided treatment strategies. With the identification of circulating molecular forms of BNP, new insights regarding the biology of the BNP system are emerging that may improve the diagnostic and prognostic value of BNP. Likewise, accounting for rs198389 (a common single nucleotide polymorphism that increases BNP levels) may help to further refine the use of components of the BNP system as biomarkers. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.