Abstract
The natriuretic peptides are well established serum biomarkers for acute and chronic heart failures. The prevalence of heart diseases increases markedly with age.
Among all investigated neurohormones and natriuretic peptides, BNP and NT-proBNP are the best markers to rule out left ventricular dysfunction. The levels of BNP and NT-proBNP increase with the severity of the left ventricular impairment.
Natriuretic peptides show good ability to discriminate patients with mild and severe left ventricular dysfunction. Brain natriuretic peptides are due to their higher sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive values well approved in diagnosis of severe and moderate left ventricular dysfunction.
Natriuretic peptides play significant role as prognostic factors and long term clinical outcome predictors after acute myocardial infarction.