NT-proBNP: A Guide to Improve the Management of Patients with Heart Failure.

N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a versatile biomarker, that has been extensively studied in large cohorts of individuals in the general population, in subjects at risk for developing left ventricular dysfunction and cardiovascular events, and in patients with chronic or acutely decompensated heart failure (HF). In this paper, the pros and cons of using natriuretic peptide testing to manage patients with HF are presented and discussed over 3 broad areas: (1) dyspnea triage in the emergency room, (2) natriuretic peptide-guided treatment of chronic HF, and (3) management of patients with HF in primary care and nursing homes.