Natrecor® has been approved for use in the treatment of acutely decompensated CHF patients with dyspnea at rest or with minimal activity. It is a recombinant form (produced by genetic engineering) of naturally occurring human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP, also known as brain natriuretic peptide) produced primarily by the ventricular myocardium (according to Hosoda K et al 1991). Natrecor® has been well tolerated in controlled clinical trials involving more than 1000 patients with CHF. The data from these previous studies suggest that doses of Natrecor® may be a potent agent for the treatment of acute CHF with a unique combination of desirable effects on the flow of blood throughout the body; the hormones secreted by the nervous system; and support of copious salt outputs by the renal system not provided by currently available therapies (according to LeJemtel TH et al 1998). Although Natrecor® has not been studied in the setting of an Emergency Department, it has been administered as a fixed-dose infusion without invasive monitoring to over 500 patients. Furthermore, Natrecor® has not been associated with an increase in cardiac ectopy or arrhythmias in both placebo-controlled and active-controlled trials (according to Burger AJ et al 1999 and Mills RM et al 1999).