BNP

Medical abbreviation · Cardiology

BNP stands for B-type natriuretic peptide, a cardiology abbreviation.

Hormone released by stretched ventricular muscle in response to pressure and volume overload, measured by blood test to diagnose and monitor heart failure. A BNP below 100 pg/mL makes acute heart failure unlikely in a breathless patient, while very high values signal more severe disease.

Example: BNP 1,240 pg/mL on admission with bilateral effusions; diuresis started.

Usage notes

First isolated from pig brain in 1988, it was originally called brain natriuretic peptide, which explains the "B." Levels rise with age, kidney disease and atrial fibrillation and run lower in obesity. Sacubitril-valsartan raises BNP by blocking its breakdown, so NT-proBNP is preferred for monitoring patients on that drug.

Related abbreviations

More cardiology abbreviations

• AVR – Aortic valve replacement
• AVRT – Atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia
• BAV – Bicuspid aortic valve
• BBB – Bundle branch block
• BiV – Biventricular
• BMS – Bare-metal stent
• CABG – Coronary artery bypass grafting
• CAC – Coronary artery calcium
• CAD – Coronary artery disease
• CAS – Carotid artery stenting
• CCS – Canadian Cardiovascular Society
• CCTA – Coronary computed tomography angiography

See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.