Natriuretic peptides in aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries. Diagnosis, risk stratification and monitoring are usually based on clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Complementary methods are needed to improve management and outcome, particularly in patients with severe asymptomatic AS, whose management remains controversial. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have established value as biomarkers in heart failure, coronary heart disease and pulmonary hypertension. This review discusses the usefulness and prognostic value of natriuretic peptides in AS. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its prohormone (NT-proBNP) correlate with disease severity, development of symptoms and prognosis, but before they can be routinely used in clinical practice, additional prospective studies are needed.