title: The role of B-type natriuretic peptide in heart failure.
abstract: The use of BNP as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of heart failure is promising. Additional studies need to be done regarding the use of BNP as a diagnostic tool to clarify its intrapatient and interpatient variability, especially over time. Nesiritide is the first new intravenous agent for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure since the introduction of milrinone. It is an effective vasodilator and enhances the effect of concomitant diuretic therapy. Nesiritide may have some benefit on long-term outcomes by prolonging survival, decreasing hospitalizations, or enhancing quality of life. Whether it can or should be used as chronic therapy in end-stage patients remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, 43 Sabin Street, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. nappijm@musc.edu
authors.forename: Jean M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain