Natriuretic peptides: diagnostic tools and predictors of heart failure outcome.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a progressive disease whose outcome largely depends on early, accurate and prompt diagnosis, accompanied by evidence-based treatment. The explosion of uptake of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in clinical practice belies an understanding of how peptides are used. The signal for NP release is the same signal that causes symptoms of CHF, such as increased wall stress. Thus, NPs can reliably add to the information a physician brings to the table as they attempt to diagnose the acutely dyspneic patient with CHF. Additionally, NPs have strong prognostic utility in the emergency room and the hospital. Monitoring of NPs during treatment for acute CHF may help manage the patient. In the future, it is possible that NPs will play a more prominent role in early detection of left ventricular dysfunction as well as guiding chronic CHF treatment.
Cardiovascular Research Coordinator/Project Manager, VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, Mail Code 111A, San Diego, CA 92161, USA. susanisakson@yahoo.com
Susan R
SR
Isakson
Nancy J
NJ
Gardetto
Alan S
AS
Maisel