Brain natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis and management of congestive heart failure

Abstract

Cardiac patients with a slightly increased brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration have dramatically decreased survival rates as compared to patients with normal BNP. Laboratory tests for BNP help identify patients who are at greatest risk for heart failure, and therefore, require more aggressive therapy. Brain natriuretic peptide detection using a point-of-care platform makes testing accessible to more health care providers and multicenter trials easier to initiate.