Brain natriuretic peptide
In medicine, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a "peptide that is secreted by the brain and the heart atria, stored mainly in cardiac ventricular myocardium. It can cause natriuresis; diuresis; vasodilation; and inhibits secretion of renin and aldosterone. It improves heart function. It contains 32 amino acids."[1]
BNP is one member or a family of closely related peptides called "natriuretic peptides" because of their ability to stimulate sodium excretion (natriuresis). Natriuretic peptides are functional antagonists to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. BNP was given its name because it was first discovered in the porcine brain. [2] However, confusingly, there appears to be relatively little BNP expressed in the brain compared to atrial natriuretic peptide [3]
An elevated concentration of BNP in the circulation can detect heart failure:[4]
Test accuracy
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
|---|---|---|
| BNP > 100 pg per milliliter | 90% | 76% |
| BNP > 50 pg per milliliter | 97% | 62% |
A value over 500 pg per milliliter is proposed to indicate that heart failure is likely[5]; however, the accuracy of that value is not certain.
Effect on clinical decision making
Providing physicians quick access to BNP results may[6] or may not[5] improve the emergency evaluation of dyspnea.
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Brain natriuretic peptide (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ Baxter GF (2004) The natriuretic peptides. Basic Res Cardiol 99:71-5. PMID 14963664
- ↑ Langub MC et al. (1995) Distribution of natriuretic peptide precursor mRNAs in the rat brain. J Comp Neurol 356:183-99. PMID 7629314
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Maisel AS, Krishnaswamy P, Nowak RM, et al (July 2002). "Rapid measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide in the emergency diagnosis of heart failure". N Engl J Med 347: 161–7. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa020233. PMID 12124404. Research Blogging.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Schneider HG, Lam L, Lokuge A, et al. (March 2009). "B-type natriuretic peptide testing, clinical outcomes, and health services use in emergency department patients with dyspnea: a randomized trial". Ann. Intern. Med. 150 (6): 365–71. PMID 19293069. [e]
- ↑ Mueller C, Scholer A, Laule-Kilian K, et al. (February 2004). "Use of B-type natriuretic peptide in the evaluation and management of acute dyspnea". N. Engl. J. Med. 350 (7): 647–54. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa031681. PMID 14960741. Research Blogging.