NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide) is a non-active prohormone released from the same precursor molecule as BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide), primarily secreted by the cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall stress, such as volume expansion or pressure overload. When the precursor molecule proBNP is cleaved, it generates biologically active BNP and the inactive NT-proBNP fragment. Although NT-proBNP itself is not physiologically active, its concentration in blood is a reliable surrogate marker of ventricular dysfunction.
In clinical settings, NT-proBNP is widely used for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of heart failure. Elevated levels correlate with the severity of heart failure and can help differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes of symptoms like dyspnea. NT-proBNP is also valuable in prognosticating outcomes in acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary embolism, and even sepsis. Due to its longer half-life and stability in plasma compared to BNP, NT-proBNP is often preferred for routine clinical testing.
In research, NT-proBNP serves as a key biomarker in cardiovascular studies and drug development, especially in trials evaluating the efficacy of heart failure therapies. It is also being investigated in broader systemic conditions such as renal disease, liver cirrhosis, and COVID-19, where cardiac stress and subclinical myocardial injury may be involved. NT-proBNP levels can provide insights into cardiac load, remodeling, and patient response to therapeutic interventions.
This product is manufactured in Austria by Biomedica.