Brain Natriuretic Peptides--Diagnostic Application

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) is a cardiac-derived peptide hormone with potent cardiovascular andElevated plasma levels of BNP and its precursor pro-BNP correlate with ventricular hypertrophy and sdysfunction. Commercial radioimmunoassays for BNP are expensive, complex and require plasma extractiAssays for pro-BNP are not available. We developed a sensitive ELISA for BNP and found dramaticallylevels in patients with severe Congestive Heart Failure. BNP levels correlated directly with pulmonapressure (PCWP) and inversely with the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) which are objective mfunction. Recent reports suggest that pro-BNP or the pro-BNP/BNP ratio may provide a more sensitivedysfunction. In Phase I we will develop an ELISA assay for pro-BNP and compare pro-BNP and BNP levelhuman plasma samples. Values for pro-BNP, BNP, and the pro-BNP/BNP ratio will be compared to clinicasuch as CArdiac index (CI), (EF), (PCWP) and other indices of disease severity. Phase II studies wilsamples from patients with mild through severe cardiac dysfunction to establish assay sensitivity, sacceptability in measuring severity of dysfunction.