NPPB and heart failure: In adult and pediatric patients with heart failure, the cardiac peptide hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or its inactive cleavage product, n-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (nt-proBNP) is an established biomarker for the diagnosis and management of myocardial dysfunction as it allows a comprehensive assessment of the myocardial structure, function and loading.