Nesiritide

Nesiritide is a recombinant form of B-type natriuretic peptide and is used for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure.

Nesiritide has potent vasodilatory properties and reduces pulmonary capillary wedge pressure effectively. This results in improvement of dyspnea.

Once large trial (ASCEND-HF) randomized 7141 patients to nesiritide versus placebo. While nesiritide did improve the symptom of dyspnea better than placebo, there was no reduction in 30 day rehospitalization and no mortality benefit. Hypotension was significant in the nesiritide group.

Nesiritide is not recommended for routine use during decompensated heart failure. If patients with normal blood pressures are not responding well to typical management with loop diuretics, then nesiritide can be considered.