neuro - cardiac hormone B- type natriuretic peptide [B.N.P] and cardiac dysfunction

ABSTRACT

B-type natruretic peptide [B.N.P] is cardiac neurohornone specifically secreted from the ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. Levels of [B.N.P] are elevated in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. B.N.P testing is best used as a rule out test, for suspected cases of new heart failure in breathless patients. as a matter of fact it is not a replacement for echocardiography and full cardiological assessment. which will be required for patients with an elevated BNP concentration. B.N.P levels rise with age and are affected by gender, drug therapy such as diuretics, beta-blockers and renal failure, it can not stand alone as a diagnostic test, physical examination and chest X-ray and ECG should be globically studied. The importance of this study in heart failure practice are diagnosis, screenings of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, risk stratification, prognostification, and treatment monitoring