Natriuretic peptides and their usefulness in clinical practise

Natriuretic peptides are peptic hormones produced by atrial and ventricular myocytes, and by endothelium of blood vessels, that take part in homeostatic control of water and sodium levels, but also potassium transport, lipolysis in adipocytes and blood pressure regulation. Three different natriuretic peptides are distinguished: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). Those peptides are responsible mostly for water-sodium homeostasis and regulation of blood pressure. Levels of natriuretic peptides increase significantly in diseases and disorders such as congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, that is why natriuretic peptides were found useful in diagnosis and monitoring of said diseases. In clinical practise, BNP and NT-proBNP levels are mostly used.