The role of biomarkers and B-type natriuretic peptide in diagnosis and perioperative risk prediction

Biomarkers are important in diagnosis, assessment of disease severity, risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making. Recent studies strongly suggest that there is a role for B-type natriuretic peptide (BtNP) as a powerful prognostic predictor in both the preoperative and postoperative setting. An understanding is required of the specific statistical methodology that is used to assess the value of biomarkers. The main aim of this paper was to discuss the current role that BtNP plays in perioperative risk prediction.