Hedner T. Increased plasma levels of atrial natnuretic peptide (ANP) in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Acta Med Scand

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a recently discovered hormone, originating from atrial myocardium. The peptide (or family of peptides) induces potent diuretic/natiuretic, vasorelaxing and aldosterone inhibitory effects. We have investigated plasma concentrations of immunoreactive ANP in 10 patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Mean plasma ANP concentrations were more than three times higher in CHF patients than in a matched control group. High plasma ANP concentrations in pathophysiological conditions with a high preload combined with salt and water retention is consistent with a physiological role of this hormone to correct hypervolemia by causing natriuresis and diuresis. It is concluded that ANP homeostasis is altered in patients with CHF and that this hormone may be of importance in the pathophysiology of CHF