[Atrial natriuretic peptides: diagnostic and therapeutic potential]

The natriuretic family consists out of three molecules that share significant amino acid sequence homologies and a looped motif. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are similar in their abilities to promote natriuresis and diuresis, to inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosteroneaxis and to act as vasodilators. The understanding concerning the actions of the C-type natriuretic peptide is incomplete, but this new family member acts as a vasodilator. Plasma levels of ANP and BNP are elevated in patients with unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and with congestive heart failure. BNP may be superior to ANP as a prognosticator for risk stratification after myocardial infarction and is independent of left ventricular ejection fraction. ANP and BNP have little therapeutic potential while experimental work as well as clinical trials suggest that the inhibition of the catabolism of natriuretic peptides in particular in combination with ACE-inhibitors may be clinically beneficial.