BNP and the risk of death in CHF

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a strong predictor of mortality in CHF.

Each 100 pg/ml increase in BNP is associated with a 35% increase in risk of death in symptomatic CHF.

In stable patients with no symptoms, BNP > 20 pg/ml indicated a doubled risk of death.

It looks like BNP should be checked regularly for all CHF patients, not only in cases of patients with SO,B when the diagnosis is not clear (that was the original application in BASEL study). BNP use resembles the PEFR in asthma patients.

Check the BMJ meta-analysis article - How well does B-type natriuretic peptide predict death and cardiac events in patients with heart failure- 03/05