Ali H. Shakir, M.D., Richard W. Smalling, M.D., Ph.D., and Rebecca R. Hung, M.D.
Dr. Shakir is a Fellow, and Dr. Hung is Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Heart Failure, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.
Dr. Shakir reports no commercial conflict of interest. Dr. Hung has been a consultant to Scios and GSK and Dr. Smalling has received grant/research support from Centocor/Boston Scientific within the last three years.
This activity is made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Roche Diagnostics 
.
Estimated course time: 1 hour(s).
Albert Einstein College of Medicine – Montefiore Medical Center designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center and InterMDnet. Albert Einstein College of Medicine – Montefiore Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Upon completion of this Cyberounds®, you should be able to:
List the physiologic properties of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and NT-proBNP
Describe the utility and limitations of measuring plasma BNP and NT-proBNP levels in the diagnosis and management of congestive heart failure
Discuss the role of recombinant BNP (nesiritide) in the treatment of decompensated heart failure.
