This research study, funded by Scios, Inc., and conducted by the Cardiology Division of the
Department of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
investigates the potential benefit of nesiritide (brand name is Natrecor(TM))in improving
exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF). Previous studies have shown beneficial
hemodynamic and neurohumoral effects of nesiritide infusion in the therapy of decompensated
heart failure. Other studies have demonstrated increases in endogenous BNP levels (normalized
for exercise workload) in HF patients during and after exercise. However, trials involving
the measurement of exercise capacity in this population following BNP administration are
lacking. This is an experimental prospective, non-blinded, pilot study with a sample size of
20 patients, all serving as their own controls. This study involves off-label use of the drug
nesiritide (indicated for IV treatment of NYHA Class II and III patients, and this study is
enrolling Class II and III patients) and has received FDA approval, and an IND. Subjects are
recruited from the population of referrals to the Strong Memorial Hospital Heart Failure and
Transplantation clinical service, who meet all the inclusion criteria and none of the
exclusion criteria may participate in the study. Enrolled study subjects perform an exercise
VO2 max test, receive a 24 hour infusion of nesiritide and perform a second exercise VO2 max
test.