Potential future therapies: natriuretic peptides.

Congestive heart failure has become a major public health problem. A hallmark of this syndrome is neurohumoral activation, with elevation of natriuretic peptides, in particular atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide of myocardial origin, which occurs with the onset of ventricular dysfunction. The natriuretic peptide system is important in cardiorenal regulation, specifically in the integrated control of intravascular volume and arterial pressure to maintain optimal circulatory integrity. Several therapeutic approaches have been established to mimic or potentiate the unique cardiovascular and renal beneficial actions of these peptides during heart failure. Recent investigations have also established a diagnostic utility for the natriuretic peptides to diagnose early asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, diagnostic and therapeutic use of the natriuretic peptides is emerging as a new strategy to delay the natural history of progressive heart failure from its earliest phase to chronic congestive heart failure.