This invention relates to long lasting natriuretic peptide (NP)
derivatives. The NP derivative has a NP peptide and a reactive entity
coupled to the NP peptide. The reactive entity is able to covalently bond
with a functionality on a blood component. In particular, this invention
relates to NP derivatives having an extended in vivo half-life, and
method for the treatment of cardio-vascular diseases and disorders such
as acute decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic CHF.