A clinical importance of natriuretic peptides in pediatric practice

Natriuretic peptides (NUP) are peptide hormones secreted by cardiomyocytes in response to a volume overload of the heart. Emphasis in the article is placed on the history of NUP discovery, their chemical structure and pathophysiological mechanisms of action. The data on determination of NUP reference values in children with cardiac pathologies are analyzed. A NUP clinical significance in early diagnosis of heart failure in children, including those with congenital heart defects is shown. Also considered is NUP dynamics after surgical correction of congenital heart defects. A conclusion is drawn that NUP play an important prognostic role in evaluating early and late postoperative periods and disease outcomes on a whole.