Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Cirrhosis

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is well known cardiac hormone released from the left ventricle myocardium as result of heart wall injury. It is a often used biochemical marker of heart failure. Its greatest role is in distinguishing etiology of dyspnea. The role of BNP in cirrhotic patients is not fully explored jet. It is well known that cirrhosis leads to diastolic and consequently systolic dysfunction, causing increase of BNP values. BNP could be a good follow up marker in cirrhotic patients, and a marker od liver decompensation, since its values positively correlate with Child Pough score, and other complications of liver cirrhosis. There are more studies needed in this field.