What the heck is BNP? BNP stands for B-type natriuretic peptide, and is released from left atrial stretch (commonly seen with cardiac disease and congestive heart failure). How important is it, and can it help my patient? In this VetGirl veterinary CE podcast, Dr. Marc Kraus, a board-certified cardiologist on faculty at Cornell University, tells us all we need to know about this soon-to-be bedside test.