Low dose nesiritide improves renal function in heart failure patients following acute myocardial infarction.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of low-dose nesiritide on renal function and major cardiac events in patients with acute decompensated heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. Sixty patients were randomized into nesiritide (loading dose 0.5 μg/kg, maintenance dose 0.0075 μg/kg/min) and nitroprusside groups. Compared with the nitroprusside group, the nesiritide group had a greater heart rate reduction (P 0.05). The rehospitalization or mortality rate was similar between the two groups 3 months after the therapy (P > 0.05). We conclude that low-dose nesiritide is more effective in suppressing the activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems. It also improves the clinical symptoms and enhances renal function, but its effect on hospital readmission or mortality rate needs further investigation.