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The atrial natriuretic factor in hypertension
J Genest1, P Larochelle, J R Cusson
1Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Patients with essential hypertension show normal plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). This suggests the atria may be unresponsive to releasing ANF despite increased pressure in mild to moderate hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a complex cardiovascular disease.
- Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) plays a role in blood pressure regulation.
- Previous studies suggest altered ANF levels in hypertensive patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (IR-ANF) concentrations in patients with varying degrees of essential hypertension.
- To determine if IR-ANF levels correlate with hypertension severity.
- To assess the responsiveness of atrial release of ANF in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to measure plasma IR-ANF.
- Sep-Pak cartridges were utilized for sample extraction.
- Study included normotensive controls and patients with labile, mild, and moderate to severe essential hypertension.
Main Results:
- Plasma IR-ANF concentrations were found to be within the normal range across all hypertensive groups studied (labile, mild, moderate to severe).
- No significant difference in plasma IR-ANF was observed between normotensive controls and hypertensive patients.
- This held true even for patients with elevated atrial pressures and distension.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a hyporesponsive state of the atria in releasing ANF in patients with essential hypertension.
- Despite increased atrial pressures, the atria may not adequately release ANF, indicating a potential blunted response.
- This hyporesponsiveness could contribute to the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.