Natriuretic peptides

Natriuretic peptides [e.g., atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), pro-ANP, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and pro-BNP] are small polypeptides that are released from the ventricle in response to increased wall stress, as is seen, for example, in the setting of myocardial ischemia. These peptides have multiple actions important to cardiovascular hemodynamics including vasodilatation and natriuresis. Recent studies have demonstrated that subjects presenting with acute coronary syndromes who have elevated baseline levels of BNP have higher rates of death and cardiac ischemic events.