Brain natriuretic peptide
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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.
An elevated concentration of BNP in the circulation can detect heart failure:[2]
| Sensitivity | Specificity | |
|---|---|---|
| BNP > 100 pg per milliliter | 90% | 76% |
| BNP > 50 pg per milliliter | 97% | 62% |
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Brain natriuretic peptide (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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.