Biomarkers in acute heart failure

Acute heart failure continues to be a worldwide medical problem, associated with frequent readmissions, high mortality, and a profound economic impact on national health care systems. In the past decade, biomarkers have shifted the way in which acute heart failure is managed by the cardiologist. The search for the ideal biomarker to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of acute heart failure is ongoing. The natriureticfc peptides have proved extremely useful in determining whether acute dyspnoea has a cardiac aetiology. In addition, recent trials have demonstrated the use of natriuretic peptides in inpatient and outpatient prognosis, as well as in titrating medications in outpatients with chronic heart failure to prevent acute heart failure hospitalizations. Other emerging acute heart failure biomarkers include mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, mid-regional proatrial natriuretic peptide, troponin, ST2, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin.