Biomarkers in predicting mortality and treatment in hemodialysis patients

Circulating natriuretic peptides are useful biomarkers of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure in the general population. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is also considered a sensitive marker of myocardial injury. However, the fact that levels of circulating natriuretic peptides and cTnT are almost invariably increased in end-stage renal disease patients has been considered a major limitation for their use as diagnostic or prognostic tools in this population. We provide an updated review on the role of natriuretic peptides and cTnT as biomarkers in predicting outcome and treatment in the hemodialysis population.