Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
Overview
Brain natriuretic peptide, despite its name, is a 32-amino acid hormone secreted predominantly by ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to ventricular stretch and pressure overload. It activates guanylyl cyclase A receptors to promote vasodilation, natriuresis, and suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems. BNP and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are widely used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in heart failure.
Key Research Findings
Nesiritide, a recombinant form of human BNP, received FDA approval in 2001 for acute decompensated heart failure based on hemodynamic improvement in clinical trials. BNP measurement is incorporated into heart failure diagnostic guidelines following extensive validation studies, including the Breathing Not Properly study (NEJM, 2002), which established its utility in emergency department assessment of dyspnea.
Intravenous
FDA Approved
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Eptifibatide (Integrilin)
FDA ApprovedA synthetic cyclic heptapeptide modeled after the KGD (Lys-Gly-Asp) disintegrin sequence found in the venom of the southeastern pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri). Eptifibatide is a potent, reversible glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist that blocks the final common pathway of platelet aggregation by preventing fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor binding to activated platelets.
Nesiritide (Natrecor)
FDA ApprovedA recombinant form of human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a 32-amino acid peptide naturally produced by ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to volume overload and wall stress. Nesiritide binds natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A), activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing intracellular cGMP to produce venous, arterial, and coronary vasodilation, natriuresis, and suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems.
Angiotensin II (Giapreza)
FDA ApprovedA synthetic form of the endogenous octapeptide angiotensin II, the primary effector of the renin-angiotensin system. Angiotensin II acts on AT1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle to produce potent vasoconstriction, and on the adrenal cortex to stimulate aldosterone release. Exogenous administration raises blood pressure in vasodilatory shock refractory to conventional vasopressors by restoring vascular tone through a mechanism complementary to catecholamine vasopressors.
Serelaxin (Relaxin-2)
InvestigationalSerelaxin is a recombinant form of human relaxin-2, a naturally occurring peptide hormone composed of two chains linked by disulfide bonds. It acts via the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) to promote vasodilation, inhibit fibrosis, and modulate hemodynamics. The therapeutic rationale targets acute heart failure by improving renal perfusion and reducing vascular resistance.