Use of cardiac hormones to assess risk of cardiovascular complication from volume overload

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of cardiac hormones, particularly natriuretic peptides, for assessment of risk of suffering from a cardiovascular complication, particularly heart disease or acute coronary syndrome, as a consequence of intravasal volume overload. In particular, the invention relates to a method for diagnosing the risk of a patient whose intravasal volume is increased or will be increased of suffering from a cardiovascular complication as a consequence of the increase of intravasal volume, comprising the steps of (a) taking a body fluid or tissue sample, and (b) measuring, preferably in vitro, the level of a cardiac hormone. The most preferred cardiac hormone in the context of the present invention is NT-proBNP.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.