Described are methods for diagnosing a cardiac disease, particularly an
acute cardiac event, in a patient presenting with symptoms of acute
cardiac decompensation, comprising the steps of (a) measuring, typically
in vitro, the level of NT-proBNP (N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide)
or a variant thereof in a sample from the patient, (b) measuring,
typically in vitro, the level of NIT-proANP (N-terminal atrial
natriuretic peptide) or a variant thereof in a sample from the patient,
(c) combining the information of the measured levels of NT-proANP and
NT-proBNP, wherein an increased level of NT-proANP in presence of a
non-increased or weakly increased level of NT-proBNP indicates the
presence of an acute cardiac event, or wherein an increased level of
NT-proANP in presence of a highly increased level of NT-proBNP indicates
the presence of a chronic cardiac disease. The methods also allow
distinguishing an acute cardiac event from decompensation of a chronic
cardiac disease. Described also are corresponding kits and to methods of
treatment of cardiac diseases.