BNP
Also written as: BNP — B-type natriuretic peptide
B-type natriuretic peptide - a hormone biomarker used to diagnose and monitor heart failure.
Full Definition
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone released by ventricular myocytes in response to increased wall stress and volume overload. BNP and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) serve as important biomarkers in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of heart failure. Elevated levels indicate ventricular dysfunction and correlate with disease severity, prognosis, and response to treatment. Normal BNP levels have high negative predictive value for excluding heart failure in patients with dyspnea. However, levels can be influenced by age, kidney function, obesity, and other cardiovascular conditions. BNP-guided therapy has shown benefit in selected heart failure populations by optimizing medical management based on biomarker trends.
Usage
Usage note: Include units (pg/mL) when reporting values; NT-proBNP is an alternative biomarker.
In Context
- "Elevated BNP of 850 pg/mL supported the diagnosis of acute decompensated heart failure." — Emergency department assessment
- "Serial BNP measurements were used to guide diuretic therapy during hospitalization." — Heart failure management protocol