Changes in atrial natriuretic peptide concentration at femoral arteriography in man

The changes in plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide were investigated in 10 patients who were examined for peripheral vessel disease by aorto-femoral angiography. All patients received 6 x 40 ml contrast medium (iohexol, 300 mg I/ml) plus an initial test dose of 15 ml, resulting in a total mean dose of 255 ml injected into the abdominal aorta. The contrast medium injections produced a significant increase in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration (p less than 0.02). Furthermore a significant decrease was seen in systolic blood pressure (p less than 0.04). It is concluded that the plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide increases after intraarterial injection of contrast medium, and that atrial natriuretic peptide might play a role in the hemodynamic changes seen after intravascular injections of contrast medium.