Open AccessSustained use of nesiritide to aid in bridging to heart transplant
Author(s) -
Hill James A.,
Hsu Kevin,
Pauly Daniel F,
Schofield Richard,
Aranda Juan M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960260503
Subject(s) - nesiritide , medicine , inotrope , heart failure , heart transplantation , cardiology , intensive care medicine , natriuretic peptide , bridging (networking) , vasodilation , computer network , computer science
Patients with end‐stage heart failure awaiting heart transplant are often maintained on continuous intravenous inotropic therapy. However, this therapy alone is often inadequate for maintenance of appropriate pulmonary artery pressure and stable clinical course. Nesiritide, B‐type natriuretic peptide, is a recently released intravenous vasodilator for short‐term use in patients with decompensated heart failure. This report details experience in four patients in whom this agent was used to bridge to transplant for prolonged periods (11–35 days) with added clinical benefit and without obvious tolerance. This suggests that new strategies for pretransplant management may be needed.