A Brief Report on Utility of N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in Screening Patients at Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

Kumar, Arun HS

doi:10.5530/bems.9.2.7

Research Article

A Brief Report on Utility of N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in Screening Patients at Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

Arun HS Kumar

Abstract

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a prohormone that is produced and released by the heart (ventricles) in response to alteration in pressure/strain/volume. It is used as a biomarker of cardiac function and is involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. When the heart is under stress or is experiencing decreased blood flow, the ventricular myocardium releases the precursor molecule proBNP, which is then cleaved (by a membrane-bound enzyme called corin) into B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP in equimolar amounts.