Brain Natriuretic Peptide: Clinical and Research Challenges

Abstract

Natriuretic peptides, in particular, brain or B-type, are useful for the assessment of patients presenting with dyspnea to the medical office or emergency department. Levels of natriuretic peptides are useful for assessing prognosis of heart failure or coronary syndrome patients. Less is known about serial peptide measurements for guiding treatment strategies in heart failure. The authors review the uses, pitfalls, and practical points for using natriuretic peptides clinically.

Natriuretic peptide C receptor signalling in the heart and vasculature

“…Partly on this basis, human recombinant BNP (a synthetic form of the peptide known as 'Nesiritide') has been approved as a treatment for patients with decompensated heart failure in the United States (Richards, 2004). Nevertheless, many questions remained unanswered regarding the clinical applications of NPs (Carrillo-Jimenez et al 2007;Sackner-Bernstein & Aaronson, 2007). It is anticipated that as our understanding of the roles of NPR-C (as well as NPR-A and NPR-B) in the cardiovascular system develop the clinical uses for NPs may be refined and improved.…”

“…Partly on this basis, human recombinant BNP (a synthetic form of the peptide known as ‘Nesiritide’) has been approved as a treatment for patients with decompensated heart failure in the United States (Richards, 2004). Nevertheless, many questions remained unanswered regarding the clinical applications of NPs (Carrillo‐Jimenez et al . 2007; Sackner‐Bernstein & Aaronson, 2007).…”