title: Brain natriuretic peptide: clinical and research challenges.
abstract: Natriuretic peptides, in particular, brain or B-type, are useful for the assessment of patients presenting with dyspnea to the medical office or emergency department. Levels of natriuretic peptides are useful for assessing prognosis of heart failure or coronary syndrome patients. Less is known about serial peptide measurements for guiding treatment strategies in heart failure. The authors review the uses, pitfalls, and practical points for using natriuretic peptides clinically.
authors.affiliation: Bethesda Memorial Hospital, Boynton Beach, and Nova Southeastern College of Medicine, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA. dr_carrillo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carrillo-Jimenez
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borzak
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hennekens
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain