Diagnostic and prognostic property of NT-proBNP in patients with renal dysfunction

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) was first identified in porcine brain in 1988 and originally was termed brain natriuretic peptide. Subsequently, it was detected in ventricular cardiomyocytes and the ventricular myocardium was later recognized as the major source of circulating BNP. The main stimulus for increased BNP synthesis and secretion is wall stress and BNP is synthesized as a proBNP comprising 108 amino acids. Upon release into the circulation, it is cleaved in equal proportion into the biologically active 32 acid BNP and the biologically inactive 76 amino acid N-terminal fragment, NT-proBNP.