1. de Bold AJ, Borenstein HB, Veress AT, Sonnenberg H:A rapid and potent natriuretic response to intravenous injection of atrial myocardial extract in rats.Life Sci 1981,28:89–94.
2. Schreiner GF, Protter AA:B-type natriuretic peptide for the treatment of congestive heart failure.Curr Opin Pharmacol 2002,2:142–147.
3. Of importance Silver MA, Maisel A, Yancy CW, et al.: BNP Consensus Panel 2004:a clinical approach for the diagnostic, prognostic, screening, treatment monitoring, and therapeutic roles of natriuretic peptides in cardiovascular diseases.Congest Heart Fail 2004,10(5 Suppl 3):1–30. This comprehensive review article provides insight into the use of natriuretic peptides as a diagnostic tool as well as the use of nesiritide therapeutically. This document does not address the potential risks that appear to be associated with use of the drug in the same manner as Schreiner and Protter [2] or Cody et al. [4].
4. Cody RJ, Atlas SA, Laragh JH, et al.:Atrial natriuretic factor in normal subjects and heart failure patients. Plasma levels and renal, hormonal, and hemodynamic responses to peptide infusion.J Clin Invest 1986,78:1362–1374.
5. McGregor A, Richards M, Espiner E, et al.:Brain natriuretic peptide administered to man: actions and metabolism.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990,70:1103–1107.