[Ultra-rapid measurement of brain natriuretic peptide]

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is secreted by overloaded ventricles. Emerging of bedside dosages cause an increasing interest for this peptide as marker in various clinical situations with heart failure. At first, BNP dosage is a potential tool for detecting heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction. BNP has also a powerful and well-established prognosis value in chronic heart failure. In the emergency setting, and mainly about acute dyspnea, low blood BNP level could eliminate diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Moreover, serial measurement of BNP could allow non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring during decompensated heart failure and could also lead cares as need for intensifying treatment. Nevertheless, its daily use in various clinical situations require that cut-off values are refined.