C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a member of the natriuretic peptide family mainly distributed in the central nervous system. CNP is also produced and secreted by the endothelium and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. We have reported that endothelial damage stimulates only transiently vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in arteries due to the development of an autocri...

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) decreases cardiac preload and hypertrophy. As such, synthetic BNP, nesiritide, was approved for the treatment of acutely decompensated heart failure. However, two problems limit its therapeutic potential. First, ensuing hypertension decreases urine output, and second, guanylyl cyclase-A (GC-A), the primary signaling receptor for BNP, is down-regulated in heart f...

Measurement of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide has been shown a good rule-out test for cardiac dysfunction in patients in the intensive care unit. The peptide measurement should not be used as a replacement for other forms of monitoring, and performs best as a diagnostic test when interpreted together with other clinical findings and investigations. At a cutoff value similar to that f...

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate angiotensin receptor blocker add-on therapy in patients with low cardiac output during decompensated heart failure. METHODS We selected patients with decompensated heart failure, low cardiac output, dobutamine dependence, and an ejection fraction <0.45 who were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The patients were randomized to losartan or plac...

AIMS To test whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was independently associated with, and improved the prediction of, cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a primary prevention cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS In the West of Scotland Coronary Prevention Study (WOSCOPS), a cohort of middle-aged men with hypercholesterolaemia at a moderate risk of CVD, we related the baseline NT-pr...

1. A family of structurally related but genetically distinct natriuretic peptides exist which include atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) of myocardial cell origin and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) of endothelial and renal epithelial cell origin. All three exert actions via cGMP, with ANP and BNP functioning via the natriuretic peptide A receptor and CNP via ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the usefulness of measuring plasma concentrations of B type natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in an unselected group of elderly people. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING General practice with four centres in Poole, Dorset. PARTICIPANTS 155 elderly patients aged 70 to 84 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Diagnostic charact...

OBJECTIVE The association between biochemical markers and left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with myocardial infarction was not completely studied. Our goal is to study the association between biochemical markers and left ventricular dysfunction in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction. METHODS With an observational and prospective design we included patients with...