Authors

Nieves Lamas Gallego, José Ángel López Gonzalo2

Position

Diplomada en Enfermería. Servicio de Hemodinámica, Diplomado en Enfermería. Servicio de Hemodinámica²

Abstract

Cardiac Insufficiency (CI) has now become a very important health issue in developed countries. Improved diagnosis of CI and its management have a great impact on the morbidity, mortality and health lost of this condition. Dyspnoea is one of the most significant clinical manifestations, although its specificity is very low; making it necessary to demonstrate the cardiac origin of such symptoms. Measurementof natriuretic peptides marks the beginning of a new era in the diagnosis and prognosis of chronic CI and thus in the management of these patients. In this sense, this papers describes these markers, especially the BNP (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) marker, given the important role it plays in the diagnosis of CI. BNP is used to improve the diagnostic efficacy at the Emergency Departments, where its determination helps to differentiate the cardiac origin of the presenting symptoms, avoiding unnecessary tests and admissions.

Versión en Español

Título:

Péptidos natriuréticos en la insuficiencia cardiaca