TY - JOUR T1 - Using BNP to diagnose, manage, and treat heart failure JF - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine JO - Cleve Clin J Med SP - 333 LP - 336 VL - 70 IS - 4 AU - Robert E. Hobbs Y1 - 2003/04/01 UR - http://www.ccjm.org/content/70/4/333.abstract N2 - A rapid assay for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) not only can be used to diagnose heart failure, it can help the clinician evaluate effectiveness of therapy, determine when discharge from the hospital is appropriate, and estimate prognosis. A synthetic formulation of BNP (nesiritide) is used to treat decompensated heart failure, resulting in improved hemodynamics and symptoms. ER -