title: Natriuretic peptides for the treatment of acute heart failure: a focus on nesiritide in recent clinical trials.
abstract: Nesiritide, a recombinant form of B-type natriuretic peptide, is a vasodilator and currently recommended as an additive therapy for patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) who have been optimized on loop diuretics. With hospitalizations for ADHF rising, appropriate selection of therapy becomes even more important to optimize efficacy and reduce adverse events. Nesiritide has many properties that antagonize the pathophysiologic processes of heart failure and has demonstrated a comparative benefit in previous reports; however, controversy still remains with respect to its efficacy and safety. Based on results from recent clinical trials, nesiritide has been shown to be safe at currently approved doses and strongly considered for the treatment of ADHF in patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal doses of intravenous loop divertics.
authors.affiliation: Western University of Health Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, 309 E. Second Street, Pomona, CA 01766, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fajardo
authors.forename: J Thomas
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.forename: J Herbert
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Kirkwood
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Sheryl L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chow
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D045283:Natriuretic Agents / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
keywords: ADHF; BNP; acute decompensated heart failure; natriuretic peptides; vasodilator