Related Experiment Videos
Diurnal change of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients with congestive heart failure
Insights
Diurnal changes in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are lost in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). ANP levels are higher in CHF patients, especially those with severe disease, indicating a loss of normal daily rhythm.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Physiology
Background:
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular homeostasis.
- Diurnal variations in physiological markers are common, but their disruption can indicate disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diurnal changes in plasma ANP concentrations in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).
- To compare ANP secretion patterns between healthy individuals and CHF patients.
Main Methods:
- Measured plasma ANP concentrations, blood pressure, and heart rate at 4-hour intervals over 24 hours.
- Included 14 patients with CHF and 8 healthy control subjects.
Main Results:
- Plasma ANP levels were significantly higher in CHF patients compared to controls.
- Severe CHF correlated with higher plasma ANP concentrations.
- The normal diurnal rhythm of ANP, with higher levels in the morning and lower in the evening, was absent in CHF patients.
Conclusions:
- The diurnal variation of ANP is lost in patients with congestive heart failure.
- Elevated ANP levels and blunted diurnal changes may be associated with CHF severity.
Abstract:
Diurnal change of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration was observed in 14 patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and in eight healthy control subjects. Blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma concentration of ANP were obtained at intervals of 4 hours beginning immediately after midnight. In the CHF group, plasma ANP concentrations at the time of blood sampling were all higher than those in the control group. Patients with severe CHF had higher plasma ANP concentrations than those in patients with less severe CHF. Plasma ANP concentration in the control group was highest at 4:00 AM and was lowest at 4:00 PM. The percent change of ANP secretion (% delta ANP): [(ANP at 4:00 AM-ANP at 4:00 PM)/ANP at 4:00 PM] x 100%, increased in the control group, while it decreased in the CHF group. Moreover, % delta ANP was much lower in patients with severe CHF than it was in patients with less severe CHF. There was a possible relation between the severity of CHF and the increase of ANP secretion associated with the relative diminution of nocturnal ANP secretion. Thus the present data imply that the diurnal change in ANP was lost in patients with CHF.