RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Can Natriuretic Peptide Levels Predict the Cardiovascular Complications of COX-2 Inhibitors and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs? JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine JO J Am Board Fam Med FD American Board of Family Medicine SP 178 OP 182 DO 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.178 VO 19 IS 2 A1 Robert P. Blankfield YR 2006 UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/19/2/178.abstract AB There is evidence that fluid retention, whether due to a disease process or due to a medication, is associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, strokes, coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular death. There is additional evidence that fluid retention that manifests as increased intravascular volume adversely affects cardiovascular outcomes. Because natriuretic peptide levels reflect intravascular volume and pressure, it is hypothesized that when patients are prescribed medications that promote fluid retention—such as non-selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors—monitoring natriuretic peptide levels before and after initiating the medication may allow these medications to be used more safely.