Objective:To explore significance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)for diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome and its guidance of treatment.Methods:A total of 124 cases with definite organic heart disease and sudden respiratory distress syndrome (measurement group) received measurement of BNP and NT-proBNP to judge whether they suffered from heart failure or not.Another 110 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome but no receiving BNP and NT-proBNP measurement were en-rolled as no measurement control group.Relevant data,including diagnosis time,length of hospital stay,hospitali-zation cost and mortality rate etc,were collected in all patients.Results:Compared with no measurement control group,there were significant reductions in diagnosis time [(24.2±6.4)min vs.(16.3±5.2)min],length of hospi-tal stay [(12.5±3.5)d vs.(8.5±4.5)d]and mortality rate (8.18% vs.4.84%)in measurement group,P<0.05 all;there was no significant difference in mean hospitalization cost between two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion:Measurement of brain natriuretic peptide and N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide possesses important value for early diagnosis,elevating therapeutic effect and improving prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syn-drome.