A rapid bedside Test for B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Treatment Outcomes in Patients Admitted with Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract

Background: While therapy for patients with decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) often leaves patients feeling better, there are no ohjective measures of improvement that correlate with the short-term outcomes of mortality and readmission. Because B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) reflects both left ventricular stretch as well as neurohormonal modulation, we hypothesized that this peptide would be useful in assessing therapeutic responses and outcomes in patients admitted with decompensated CHF.