[The importance of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide levels in cardiovascular diseases].
Natriuretic peptide type B (brain natriuretic peptide, BNP) is a neurohormone released by cardiac ventricles in response to volume and pressure load. Recent studies have demonstrated that BNP level measured in the plasma plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases especially in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. This article summarizes the physiology of the brain natriuretic peptide, diagnosis of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome and use of BNP in the treatment and determining the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases.