[Atrial natriuretic factor in physiological conditions and pathological states]

Having outlined the principal physiological and pathological aspects of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the basis of data found in the literature, the authors report the results of their research on variations of ANF plasma level during hyperkinetic atrial arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction with and without complications as well as hypotensive and renal effects of synthetic ANF in congestive heart failure. Regardless of the cause of hyperkinetic atrial arrhythmia, high ANF levels were normalized or significantly reduced after the return to sinus rhythm whereas with the sole reduction of ventricular rate ANF remained raised. In uncomplicated myocardial infarction ANF level was raised to an extent inversely proportional to the ejection fraction. In cardiogenic shock, ANF values were high and correlated to the high central venous pressure and heart rate. On the contrary, in the hypotensive bradycardia syndrome ANF values were normal even when the syndrome had occurred in the acute stage of infarction. In congestive heart failure, ANF administration had contradictory effects in that diuresis was induced by lower doses, and hypotension by higher ones.