RESUMO
The B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP] test has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, USA, for use in the diagnosis of heart failure; it has proven highly effective in differentiating heart failure from other causes of dyspnea. However, BNP has also proven useful in other clinical situations, such as risk stratification for patients with heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. The prognostic information provided by BNP means that targeting individuals with high BNP concentrations for preventative therapies can potentially halt the advance of the cardiovascular disease in these patients and save lives. While BNP can identify patients with heart failure or cardiovascular disease, following BNP levels after intervention can potentially be used to adjust therapies to an optimal level. Finally, many other uses of BNP have been proposed. Upcoming studies will undoubtedly help clarify established guidelines and help set new ones