Ker, James A.Soma-Pillay, Priya2018-10-292018-10-292018-03Ker, J.A. & Soma-Pillay, P. 2018, 'NT-proBNP : when is it useful in obstetric medicine?', Obstetric Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 3-5.1753-495X (print)1753-4968 (online)10.1177/1753495X17736717http://hdl.handle.net/2263/67096Pregnancy, viewed as a stress test of the haemodynamic system, may unmask underlying cardiac disease. Pregnancy may also induce de novo cardiac disease. N-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a useful biomarker in all clinical conditions in which the ventricle is stressed and especially stretched in the general population. In hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, increased levels of NT-proBNP in preeclampsia are associated with increased cardiac filling pressures and diastolic dysfunction. Increased levels of NT-proBNP in pregnant women with known cardiac disease may lead to earlier diagnosis of impending heart failure. Similarly, elevated levels of NT-proBNP assist with the diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy and are increasingly used in follow-up. Women with known congenital heart disease who are pregnant can be screened for risk of cardiac events such as heart failure by the use of NT-proBNP levels. There is a paucity of data in pregnancy with the use of NT-proBNP and more research is needed.en© The Author(s) 2018PregnancyCardiac diseaseGeneral medicineMaternal–fetal medicineN-terminal pro brain-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)Postprint Article