BNP vs NT-proBNP: clinical application and interpretation of cardiac function biomarkers
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP) are biomarkers of cardiac function, as well as the preferred biomarkers for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of heart failure, disease severity and prognosis assessment, and have been recommended as Level I by several clinical practice guidelines. BNP is mainly degraded in large blood vessels and other sites, while NT-proBNP is mainly excreted by the kidneys, and measurement of BNP or NT-proBNP levels in plasma can be used to diagnose and evaluate heart failure. Although both BNP and NT-proBNP are cleaved from moles such as proBNP, they have different biological characteristics. In summary, BNP has a short half-life of about 20 to 22 minutes, which is more valuable in understanding the immediate condition of the patient; NT-proBNP has a relatively longer half-life of 120 minutes, higher concentrations in peripheral blood, and is more stable in vitro, making it more suit...