title: Usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide levels in predicting hemodynamic and clinical decompensation.
abstract: Pulmonary congestion can be challenging to diagnose because of nonspecific symptoms and the blunt nature of physical examination and radiographic findings. Assessing for euvolemia following treatment of congestion also can be difficult but can improve both the inpatient and outpatient care of patients who have heart failure. Tools such as the natriuretic peptides are important adjuncts to the physical examination and chest radiographs and often obviate the need for invasive hemodynamic assessment.
authors.affiliation: University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, CA 92103-8411, USA. ptaub@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Pam R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Taub
authors.forename: Lori B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.forename: Alan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Maisel
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain