Review
The Importance of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in cardiovascular diseases
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
2Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
2Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Kardiyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
Anatol J Cardiol 2005; 4(5): 305-311 PubMed ID: 16330398
Abstract
Natriuretic peptide type B (brain natriuretic peptide, BNP) is a neurohormone released by cardiac ventricles in response to volume and pressure load. Recent studies have demonstrated that BNP level measured in the plasma plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases especially in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. This article summarizes the physiology of the brain natriuretic peptide, diagnosis of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome and use of BNP in the treatment and determining the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords: Brain natriuretic peptide, heart failure, acute coronary syndrome