This is one of the most important tests present nowadays for Cardiac functions, for management of patients with heart failure and for prognostic value in patients with cardiac ischemia, heart failure or vascular diseases. BNP is a neurohormone that affects body fluid homeostasis by natriuresis and diuresis, as well as vascular tone by decreasing angiotensin II and norepinephrine synthesis. BNP opposes regulatory hormones of the renin- angiotensin-aldosterone system and potentiates the effects of nitric oxide. It also increases parasympathetic tone. Consequently, it leads to decrease in vascular tone and decrease blood pressure. BNP is stored in heart muscle cells (myocytes) mainly of the left ventricle, and it is released upon dilatation of the heart (as may occur in dilated heart failure), or in ischemia (as seen in myocardial infarction). BNP blood level is found to correlate very well with patient�s status: the more is the value, the worse is the prognosis. Measurement of BNP is essential nowadays in all cases with heart failure and in patients with myocardial infarction. It is also essential to measure BNP is patient with �Shortness of Breath�. Many studies found that dyspneic patients who present to emergency room with high BNP blood levels have shorter survival time than patient with low levels. More studies have also shown that patients with pulmonary embolism with raised levels of BNP are more likely to die from cardiac complication within a year of their presentation compared with normal level patients
In summary: Measurement of BNP blood levels is now part of essential work up for any patients with heart disease (ischemia, cardiac dilatation, cardiac failure), in patients with Dyspnea, and in patients with pulmonary embolism. The higher the blood level value, the worse is the damage, and the worse is the prognosis
We in the first medical Lab are determined to bring the best of laboratory test to clinical practice in Jordan. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further inquiries
.Dr. Hussam Abu- Farsakh, M.D
Consultant Pathologist and Cytopathologist
American boards of Anatomic, Clinical Pathology and Cytopathology