NTproBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) is a protein that is produced and released by the heart in response to increased pressure or stretching of heart muscle cells. Elevated levels of NTproBNP in the blood are often used as a biomarker for heart disease, particularly for conditions that cause heart failure or strain on the heart such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular heart disease.
Measuring NTproBNP levels in the blood can be useful for identifying individuals at risk for heart disease, as well as for helping to diagnose and monitor the severity of heart failure in those who have already been diagnosed. High levels of NTproBNP can also indicate that a person's heart failure is worsening, even if they do not have any other symptoms.
In addition to its use as a biomarker for heart disease, NTproBNP has also been studied as a predictor of other adverse cardiovascular events such as stroke and death. Some research has suggested that measuring NTproBNP levels may be a useful way to identify individuals who are at high risk for these events and to guide treatment decisions.
It is important to note that while elevated NTproBNP levels can be a sign of heart disease, they can also be elevated in other conditions such as kidney disease or after a heart attack. Therefore, NTproBNP should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.