NT-proBNP
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
NT-proBNP stands for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, a cardiology abbreviation.
Inactive fragment released alongside BNP when the ventricles are stretched, measured in blood to diagnose, exclude and monitor heart failure. It has a longer half-life and higher typical values than BNP; below 300 pg/mL makes acute heart failure unlikely.
Example: NT-proBNP 4,800 pg/mL in a 78-year-old with orthopnea and leg swelling.
Usage notes
Age-adjusted cutoffs for diagnosing acute heart failure are about 450 pg/mL under age 50, 900 for ages 50 to 75 and 1,800 over 75. Unlike BNP, it is unaffected by neprilysin inhibitors, so it suits patients taking sacubitril-valsartan. Kidney impairment raises levels because the kidneys clear the fragment.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- MVP – Mitral valve prolapse
- MVR – Mitral valve replacement
- NICM – Nonischemic cardiomyopathy
- NSR – Normal sinus rhythm
- NSTEMI – Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction
- NSVT – Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia
- NYHA – New York Heart Association
- OH – Orthostatic hypotension
- OM – Obtuse marginal artery
- OPCAB – Off-pump coronary artery bypass
- PAC – Premature atrial contraction
- PAD – Peripheral artery disease
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.