Vol 58, No 4 (2007)
Review paper
Published online: 2007-05-17
Natriuretic peptides: their role in diagnosis and therapy
Endokrynol Pol 2007;58(4):364-375.
Abstract
Cardiac natriuretic peptide hormones, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), are synthesized
and secreted by the heart, producing several biological effects, such as natriuresis, vasorelaxation and hypotension.
During the last decade these peptides, especially BNP, have received increasing attention as potential markers of cardiovascular
disease. Their measurements can be used to diagnose heart failure, including diastolic dysfunction, and using them
has been shown to save money. BNP levels can enable the differentation between dyspnoic patients secondary to ventricular
dysfunction and subjects with primary respiratory disorders. Moreover, there is good evidence that natriuretic peptides
may have a diagnostic role in arterial hypertension, acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary hypertension, some valvular
heart disease and some disorders affecting other systems (diabetes or thyroid disorders). In this paper we disscuss the
clinical utility of assessment of natriuretic peptide hormones in the diagnosis of various clinical conditions and their use as
pharmacological agents.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 364-374)
(Pol J Endocrinol 2007; 58 (4): 364-374)
Keywords: cardiac natriuretic peptidesheart failurethyroid disorders
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