Hemodynamic Effects of a Single Intravenous Injection of Synthetic Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Heart Failure Secondary to Ischemic or Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Synthetic human brain natriuretic peptide (sBNP) is a polypeptide with the same amino acid sequence as the naturally occurring hormone. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BNP has potent hemodynamic, diuretic, and natriuretic effects that might be beneficial in treating patients with heart failure. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose trial of sBNP administered as a single intravenous bolus in 27 heart failure patients. Six groups of patients received sequentially increasing doses of sBNP (0.3, 1, 3, 10, 15, and 20 μg/kg, respectively) as a single intravenous injection, and hemodynamics were assessed by pulmonary artery monitoring catheter. The 10 and 15 μg/kg doses of sBNP resulted in significant reductions in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (−73%, p <0.001), mean pulmonary artery pressure (−41%, p <0.001), mean arterial blood pressure (−28%, p = 0.001), and systemic vascular resistance (−53%, p = 0.004). Significant increases occurred in cardiac index (68%, p <0.001) and stroke volume index (72%, p <0.001). The magnitude and duration of hemodynamic changes were dose dependent. There were no adverse effects. sBNP injected as a single intravenous bolus in heart failure patients improves hemodynamics in a dose-related fashion. Further clinical investigations to determine the use of sBNP in decompensated heart failure are clearly warranted. Cardiol 1996;78:896–901)