Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), N-Terminal Prohormone Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)

How to Cite This Chapter: Don-Wauchope A, Chetty VT, Ivica J, Kavsak P, Khan WI, Lafreniere M, Nouri K, Solnica B. Brain-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), N-terminal Prohormone Brain-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP). McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine. Kraków: Medycyna Praktyczna. https://empendium.com/mcmtextbook/chapter/B31.1269.3.7.121. Accessed December 22, 2024.

Last Updated: May 9, 2022

Last Reviewed: May 9, 2022

Chapter Information

For a brief introduction and guide to abbreviations, see Laboratory Tests: General Remarks.

Analyte [material]

Brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal prohormone brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) [S/P]

Reference range, target level, or decision threshold

BNP: 0.5-30 ng/L (0.15-8.7 pmol/L)!!!; CPG

NT-proBNP: 68-112 ng/L (8.2-13.3 pmol/L)!!!; CPG

Reference intervals are age and sex specific.

Cutoffs are different for patients presenting with acute symptoms suggestive of heart failure.

Levels diagnostic of heart failure according to the Universal Definition and Classification of Heart Failure (2021):

BNP: ≥35 ng/L

NT-proBNP: ≥125 ng/L

Also see Chronic Heart Failure.

Interpretation of results

↑ Heart failure, MI, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, arterial hypertension, PE, pulmonary hypertension, hyperthyroidism, Cushing syndrome, primary hyperaldosteronism, cirrhosis, renal failure, subarachnoid hemorrhage, advanced age

↓ Obesity

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Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), N-Terminal Prohormone Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP)

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