Terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its precursor, pro-BNP (specifically the N-terminal fragment known as NT-proBNP), are biomarkers produced by heart muscle cells in response to increased pressure in the ventricles, often due to volume or pressure overload.

NT-proBNP measurement is particularly useful in cardiology for the diagnosis, evaluation and management of heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions.

Elevated NT-proBNP levels are strongly suggestive of heart failure, particularly in patients with symptoms such as dyspnoea (difficulty breathing). NT-proBNP is particularly useful in differentiating dyspnoea caused by heart failure from that caused by lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. High levels of NT-proBNP suggest a cardiac origin, while normal or low levels point to a non-cardiac origin.

NT-proBNP levels generally correlate with the severity of heart failure. Higher levels are associated with more severe heart failure and a poorer prognosis.

In patients with heart failure, NT-proBNP levels can help predict the risk of future mortality and hospitalisation. Persistent or increasing levels of NT-proBNP are associated with an increased risk of death and cardiac complications.

NT-proBNP measurement can be used to monitor response to therapy in patients with heart failure. A decrease in NT-proBNP levels following treatment is a sign of a favourable therapeutic response, while persistently elevated levels may indicate a need for treatment adjustment.

For adults under the age of 50, a value of less than 300 pg/mL is considered normal. In older patients, normal values may be slightly higher.