What is the purpose of measuring BNP/NT-proBNP in heart failure?

• A. They measure liver enzymes to assess liver damage.
• B. BNP/NT-proBNP are primarily used to assess kidney function.
• C. They help diagnose HF, assess severity, and monitor response to therapy.
• D. BNP/NT-proBNP are not used in HF assessment.

Answer: (C)

BNP and NT-proBNP are hormones released by ventricular muscle in response to stretch and increased filling pressures. In heart failure, the ventricles are chronically stretched, so these peptides rise. Measuring them helps in three main ways: diagnosing heart failure when the clinical picture is unclear, assessing the severity and prognosis (higher levels mean more advanced disease and higher risk), and monitoring how well therapy is working (levels tend to fall as decongestion and treatment improve the situation). They’re not primarily tests of liver or kidney function, though kidney status and other factors can influence levels, so BNP/NT-proBNP are used to complement clinical assessment, not replace it.