B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‐terminal‐proBNP for heart failure diagnosis in shock or acute respiratory distress

Abstract

Both BNP and NT-proBNP can help in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in ICU patients, but cannot replace echocardiography. An elevated BNP or NT-proBNP level merely indicates the presence of a 'cardiorenal distress' and should prompt further investigation.