Annals of emergency medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Acutely decompensated heart failure in a county emergency department: a double-blind randomized controlled comparison of nesiritide versus placebo treatment.
Acutely decompensated congestive heart failure is a major cause of emergency department (ED) visits in county hospitals. This often underserved population has a high rate of return visits to the ED for heart failure. Nesiritide has been demonstrated to relieve symptoms of acutely decompensated congestive heart failure. We examined the effect of an 8-hour infusion of nesiritide on the composite of return to the ED or hospitalization at 30 days. ⋯ Administration of nesiritide for acutely decompensated congestive heart failure in a county ED was no better than standard therapy alone for return to the ED or hospitalization at 30 days.