Human B-type natriuretic peptide – a survey of the patent literature

Abstract

Background: The human brain natriuretic peptide (hBNP), a cardioprotective hormone released from the heart by cardiomyocytes stretching and neurohormonal activation, emerged as a new biomarker in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia or acute coronary syndrome. BNP in the plasma strikingly increases in left ventricular dysfunction from several causes. Objective: To evaluate hBNP assays in diagnostic, prognostic and guiding treatment strategies in heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, and to assess the clinical use of recombinant hBNP. Methods: Analysis of hBNP and NT-proBNP as suitable markers for clinical use and application of hBNP in management of acute decompensated heart failure. Results/conclusion: hBNP assays provide useful information for the diagnosis of various heart pathologies, particularly when used with other clinical tests such as echocardiography. They also provide prognostic values for future cardiovascular events. However, use of recombinant BNP for managing acute decompensated heart failure should be limited because it has been associated with both renal dysfunction and increased risk of mortality.

Keywords::

• diagnosis
• heart failure
• human brain natriuretic peptide
• NT-proBNP
• treatment

Notes