title: Treatment options for acute decompensated heart failure.
abstract: The benefits of nesiritide for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are discussed. In order to understand the goals of ADHF therapy, it is important to recognize the complex interplay between hemodynamic and neurohormonal abnormalities in patients suffering from heart failure. Goals of therapy include improvement in hemodynamic parameters, relief of symptoms, and minimization of adverse effects. Until recently, therapy with diuretics, positive inotropes, and intravenous vasodilators was the standard of care for treating ADHF. Nesiritide is the newest agent available for treating ADHF and may offer several benefits over standard of care therapy. It is important to remember that therapy for ADHF should not replace chronic oral heart failure therapy, nor should focus on prevention of ADHF episodes be lost.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 S. Wood Street M/C 715, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. ross@uic.edu
authors.forename: Mary Ross
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Southworth
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D045283:Natriuretic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain