B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and proBNP: role of emerging markers to guide therapy and determine prognosis in cardiovascular disorders.

Over the last decade, one group of neurohormonal markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal pro-ANP, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal proBNP, has generated much interest in the evaluation and management of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. There has been so much literature on the subject, especially concerning BNP and proBNP, that it leaves us confused at times about what the literature has to say about these markers. In this article, we have made an honest attempt to examine all the available literature in relation to the impact of BNP and proBNP on cardiovascular disease and present it to the reader in an assimilated fashion.

Comparison and co-relation of invasive and noninvasive methods of ejection fraction measurement.

Background: Accurate estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has assumed great significance in the era of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs), and a low EF may be one of the sole deciding factor in determining AICD implantation in certain patient populations.

Aim: There are various methods, invasive and noninvasive, which can help calculate EF. We sought to conduct a retrospective study comparing EF estimation by invasive (angiography) and noninvasive methods [MUGA (multiple-gated acquisition), echocardiography (echo), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)] in 5,558 patients in our hospital from 1995-2004.

Aripiprazole-induced syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Aripiprazole is a newer atypical antipsychotic agent used for effective treatment of schizophrenia. It significantly reduces unwanted side effects of older typical antipsychotics by targeting, with high affinity, dopamine D2/D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A/5-HT-2A receptors. Its documented mechanism of action makes it an unlikely agent to cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).