Natriuretic peptides in the prognosis and management of acute coronary syndromes.

Over the past decade, an evidence base has accumulated to support natriuretic peptide (NP) testing for diagnosis, risk assessment, and therapeutic monitoring and guidance of patients with heart failure. Investigators have also explored multiple other potential uses for these tests, including risk assessment of patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This article discusses the utility of NPs in the diagnosis and management of patients with ACS.