Nesiritide (Brain Natriuretic Peptide) – Part 1
Brain natriuretic (sometimes misspelled naturietic) peptide (BNP) is a hormone that is found most commonly in the human heart, but that was initially identified in the brain (hence the name). It is released from myocardial or heart cells in response to wall stress on the heart chambers (both atria and ventricles), increased volume in the chambers, and increased pressure in the chambers.
The effect of BNP is to relieve the above conditions by reducing both preload and afterload. This is done by the BNP effect on the heart itself, the blood vessels, and the kidneys by causing dilation of the arteries and veins (vasodilation), increased urine production (diuresis), and excretion of sodium from the kidneys.
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