Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
Published on: July 25, 2019
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is more sensitive to rapid hemodynamic changes in acute heart failure than
Johannes Mair1, Gerda Falkensammer, Gerhard Poelzl
1Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Division of Cardiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Johannes.Mair@i-med.ac.at
Background:
We examined whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its precursor fragment, N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), can serve as non-invasive markers of hemodynamic response to treatment in acute heart failure in a prospective observational study.
Methods:
29 unselected, consecutive patients (mean age: 61.6, 39-83 years; 25 males, 4 females) in urgent need for positive inotropic support and invasive hemodynamic monitoring by a Swan-Ganz catheter. Positive hemodynamic response to treatment was defined as > or =25% decrease in pulmonary artery occlusion pressure after 24 h. Hemodynamics were recorded simultaneously with blood sampling for BNP and NT-proBNP testing before and 24 h after initiation of inotropic support. BNP (Bayer Diagnostics) and NT-proBNP (Roche Diagnostics) were measured by commercial immunoassays.
Results:
Both markers were markedly elevated. However, there were no close correlations (r<0.43, p<0.05) of BNP or NT-proBNP with hemodynamic parameters at baseline or 24 h thereafter. Only BNP showed a significant (p=0.023) decrease compared to baseline values in hemodynamic responders. The area under receiver operating characteristics curve for relative changes of BNP for the prediction of hemodynamic response was 0.76.
Conclusions:
Our preliminary results indicate that BNP is more sensitive to acute hemodynamic changes than NT-proBNP. This study also highlights limitations of both markers as surrogates of hemodynamics in critically ill acute heart failure patients.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Adrenergic Receptors: β Subtype
Isoprenaline > Adrenaline > Noradrenaline
Neurotransmitter binding to these receptors causes activation of adenylyl cyclase resulting in increased concentrations of cAMP and modulation of calcium ion channels within the cell. They are further classified into β1, β2, and β3 subtypes.
β1-adrenoceptors: β1-adrenoceptors have equal affinities for...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers

