[Is there a clinical indication for the determination of atrial natriuretic peptide?]

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a hormone produced, stored and secreted by atrial muscle cells. By its natriuretic, diuretic and blood pressure lowering activities ANP is possibly an endogenic antagonist for the sodium-retaining, vasopressor renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In diseases associated with increased intravascular volume ANP plasma concentrations have been found elevated, in those associated with decreased volume ANP has been found decreased. In essential hypertension and chronic heart or renal failure diagnostic conclusions may be drawn from the ANP plasma concentration. This review summarizes the present knowledge about physiology and pathophysiology of ANP and values in addition the diagnostic power of ANP measurements for clinical routine in hypertension, heart and renal failure.