C-type natriuretic peptide: A new cardiac mediator

► Role of CNP in heart failure and myocardial infarction. ► Increased CNP mRNA expression and plasmatic concentrations in humans and in animal models. ► CNP expression in cardiomyocytes and its evaluation in human leukocytes. ► CNP and its specific receptor, NPR-B, play a very important role in regulating cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling. ► NPR-B could be a new potential drug target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.