Low Dose Intravenous (IV) Infusion of BNP in the Presence and Absence of Acute Type V Phosphodiesterase (PDE V) in Improving Renal Function in Hospitalized Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) Patients With Renal Dysfunction

The purpose of the study is to determine if low doses of BNP can improve renal function in people with chronic heart failure with renal dysfunction, also to determine whether Sildenafil assists with improvement. This study will enroll only hospitalized patients with heart failure.

The broad objective of this protocol is to advance our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of human Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) with a specific emphasis upon the biological interaction between diuretic therapy, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) and cyclic 3'-5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) as a result of left ventricular systolic dysfunction is a clinical syndrome with high mortality and morbidity. Renal dysfunction is a common and progressive complication of CHF and despite growing recognition of the frequent presentation of combined cardiac and renal dysfunction, or "Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS)", its underlying pathophysiology is not well understood, with a lack of consensus as to its appropriate management.

The main objective of this study is to extend the findings of the applicant's studies in both human and experimental CHF and determine if low dose intravenous (IV) (0.005/Kg/min) administration of BNP in hospitalized decompensated CHF patients with renal dysfunction would improve the renal function. Furthermore, based on our preliminary data, we also sought to assess if PDE V inhibition potentiated these renal enhancing actions.

Hypothesis: Low dose IV infusion of BNP in hospitalized decompensated CHF patients with CRS will enhance renal and humoral functions as compared to standard therapy, which will be further potentiated by PDEV inhibition as evident by:

Increased sodium excretion, Increased creatinine clearance Decreased plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen Suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, Increased renal cGMP generation

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients admitted to St Mary's Hospital, Mayo Clinic Rochester MN with NYHA class III-IV decompensated CHF with renal dysfunction as Calculated creatinine clearance of equal or less than 60 ml/min but greater than 20 ml/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cause of acute renal dysfunction can be reasonably ascribed to factors other than heart failure or its treatment
* Known intrinsic renal diseases or renal artery stenosis of =\>50%
* Patients taking Nitrates within the previous 24 hours
* Patients needing emergency coronary revascularization or those who may have rapidly changing cardiac function (i.e. patients with acute myocardial infarction or shock)
* Peritoneal or hemodialysis within 90 days or anticipation that dialysis or ultrafiltration of any form will be required during the study period
* Systolic blood pressure \< 90 mmHg or cardiogenic shock.
* Requirement of pressors for maintenance of blood pressure.
* Intra-aortic blood pump use.
* History of significant uncorrected renal artery stenosis as defined by \>50% stenosis.
* Severe aortic or mitral stenosis or significant LV outflow tract obstruction. Hgb \< 10 mg/dL
* Pregnant or nursing women.
* Contraindication to nesiritide.
* Inability to have NSAID dose held for up to 30 hours, if being treated with these medications.
* Administration of radiocontrast medium within 7 days of enrollment or anticipated use of such agents during the study