title: Natriuretic peptides in heart failure: should therapy be guided by BNP levels?
abstract: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Testing for natriuretic peptide markers, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), has emerged as an important tool for the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with HF. However, questions remain regarding the potential role for natriuretic peptides to guide therapy in patients with HF. In this Review, we address the underlying assumptions and the existing evidence supporting a natriuretic-peptide-guided approach to the outpatient management of HF.
authors: TIMI Study Group, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: O'Donoghue
authors: Eugene
authors: E
authors: Braunwald
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D013148:Spironolactone