Ivan Málek, Miloš Kubánek, Markéta Hegarová
The paper reviews usage of B-natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure. It is accepted that estimation of blood concentration of B-natriuretic peptide (BNP or NT - proBNP) is part of diagnostic algorithm in patients with acute dyspnoea. Low levels allow with a high probability excluding heart failure as a cause of the symptom. Another important use of this method is prognostic stratification, especially assessment of the therapeutic response in management of decompensated heart failure. Repeated measurements (monitoring) of this biomarker has been increasingly used in some clinical situations, especially in case of heart failure decompensation. Clinical studies that focused on this topic showed favourable trend with more optimal use of pharmacotherapy. Metaanalysis of 6 fundamental studies showed 30 % decrease of mortality in patients managed according to BNP monitoring. This result has been achieved with higher doses of effective drugs.