Cardiac natriuretic peptides for diagnosis and risk stratification in heart failure: influences of left ventricular dysfunction and coronary artery disease on cardiac hormonal activation

Abstract

Plasma N-proANF and BNP concentrations are good indicators of the severity and prognosis of CHF in an outpatient practice. CAD does not stimulate BNP as long as ventricular dysfunction is not present, although increased N-proANF levels in this setting suggest an early humoral activation.