Complexity of molecular forms of B-type natriuretic peptide in heart failure.

The article discusses the molecular forms of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in heart failure. It mentions that the molecular forms of BNP circulating in plasma of heart failure patients remain uncertain because aminopeptidases digest the N-terminal region of BNP and the current assay systems also cross-react with BNP altering is molecular form. It further states that in healthy individuals BNP metabolites is difficult because of the low level of BNP present.