title: Brain natriuretic peptide in the management of heart failure: the versatile neurohormone.
abstract: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), also called B-type natriuretic peptide, is a member of a family of structurally related hormones, the natriuretic peptides. Current data suggest that measurement of BNP plasma concentrations is a useful tool in the diagnosis of acute heart failure in patients presenting to an emergency department with acute dyspnea. Furthermore, BNP constitutes a promising new marker of prognosis after an acute coronary syndrome episode and in patients with chronic heart failure. Nesiritide, the human recombinant form of BNP, is a new vasodilator used in the treatment of acute heart failure that has several potential advantages over current drug therapy.
authors.affiliation: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of Sciences of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Denus
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pharand
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016638:Critical Illness; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain