Brain natriuretic peptide

From Citizendium
Revision as of 07:43, 6 February 2009 by imported>Gareth Leng
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

In medicine, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a "peptide that is secreted by the brain and the heart atria, stored mainly in cardiac ventricular myocardium. It can cause natriuresis; diuresis; vasodilation; and inhibits secretion of renin and aldosterone. It improves heart function. It contains 32 amino acids."[1]

An elevated BNP can detect heart failure:[2]


Usig the BNP to detect heart failure[2]
  Sensitivity Specificity
BNP > 100 pg per milliliter 90% 76%
BNP > 50 pg per milliliter 97% 62%

References