Abstract: The natriuretic peptide(NP) system is an endocrine system that maintains fluid and pressure homeostasis by modulating cardiac and renal function.NP levels are elevated in patients with heart failure(HF) and other cardiac diseases.They are early warning system to help to identify patients at high risk for cardiac events.Measurement of NPs may be used to aid diagnosis and prognosis.NPs also can exert important anti-proliferative,anti-fibrotic effects to prevent the remodification in the heart with myocardial infarction and advanced HF.Brain natriuretic peptide is an important biomarker in patients with HF and other cardiovascular diseases,such as pulmonary hypertension and atherosclerotic vascular disease.In addition,synthetic NPs such as nesiritide could be used to treat the patients with acutely congestive HF. These Recombinant drugs are also being investigated for myocardial and renal protection in the setting of cardiac surgery and for prevention of cardiac remodeling.

Key words: natriuretic peptide, experiment, clinic, review