[Clinical utility of natriuretic peptdies in dyspnea]

Natriuretic peptides (NP) are simple and rapid cardiac biomarkers that quantify hemodynamic cardiac stress and heart failure. Heart failure is a common cause of dyspnea, therefore improvements in the diagnosis of heart failure have a major impact on the diagnosis and management of patients with dyspnea. Four independent randomized controlled studies have confirmed that the additional use of NP in patients with dyspnea improves patient management. Accordingly, measurement of NPs should be part of the work-up in most if not all patients with dyspnea.