Natriuretic peptide-guided management of acutely destabilized heart failure: rationale and treatment algorithm.

Natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP] and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT]-proBNP) have been proven to be strong diagnostic and prognostic tools in the assessment of acutely decompensated heart failure. The emergence of BNP/NT-proBNP testing as a standard of care in this setting has helped to reduce healthcare costs, and may decrease adverse clinical outcomes. The use of BNP and NT-proBNP to "guide" treatment of acutely destabilized heart failure has recently grown. We present an overview of the value of BNP/NT-proBNP in the context of acute heart failure management and therapy optimization, and present an algorithm for natriuretic peptide-guided treatment of acutely destabilized heart failure.