title: B-type natriuretic peptide and heart failure: what can we learn from clinical trials?
abstract: The B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) may favour natriuresis and diuresis, making it an ideal drug to aid in diuresing a fluid-overloaded patient with poor or worsening renal function. Several randomized clinical trials have tested the hypothesis that infusions of pharmacological doses of BNP to acute heart failure (HF) patients may enhance decongestion and preserve renal function in this clinical setting. Unfortunately, none of these has resulted in a better outcome. The current challenge for BNP research in acute HF lies in a failure of concept and reluctance to abandon a demonstrably ineffectual research model. Future success will necessitate a detailed understanding of the mechanism of action of BNP as well as a better integration of basic and clinical science.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ndjamena, Ndjamena, Chad.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Binoun-A-Egom
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto Scarborough Campus, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klimas
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Medical Faculty in Martin, Comenius University, Martin, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valentova
authors.affiliation: International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kruzliak
authors.affiliation: EGOM Clinical and Translational Research Services (ECTRS) Ltd, Halifax, NS, Canada.
authors.forename: Emmanuel E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Egom
keywords: B-type natriuretic peptide; heart failure