BMJ  2005;330 (19 March), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7492.0

BNP is reliable in predicting prognosis of heart failure

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a strong prognostic indicator for patients with heart failure regardless of the stage of disease. In a systematic review, Doust and colleagues (p 625) analysed 19 studies of the prognostic value of BNP in patients in all stages of heart failure, all clinical settings, and all lengths of follow-up, and five studies assessing its prognostic value in asymptomatic patients. In patients with heart failure, each 100 pg/ml increase in BNP was associated with a 35% increase in the relative risk of death. In asymptomatic patients, BNP > 20 pg/ml was associated with a doubled risk of death.

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