Natriuretic Peptides: Role in Current Cardiology

Natriuretic peptides were discovered in 50-70s of the XX century. BNP was more diagnostically and prognostically significant, as it is secreted directly into the ventricles of the heart. The studies demonstrated a high predictive value of increasing the level of BNP in acute decompensation of heart failure and in patients with chronic heart failure in a study of Val-HeFT It was demonstrated that monitoring the level of NT-proBNP can be used for the selection of optimal therapy, affect the course and outcome of the disease, and reduce the cost of treatment. The next step in learning BNP was to undertake attempts of their use in the therapy of heart failure. Long-term therapy BNP (drug nesiritide) improved left ventricular remodelling in patients with stable heart failure. Currently the definition of the levels of BNP and NT-proBNP is used for the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure.