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Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide is elevated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
G J Fahy1, C J McCreery, F O'Sullivan
1Department of Cardiology, University College, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are elevated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, ANP levels did not correlate with disease severity or symptoms in this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Research
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary cardiac condition.
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays a role in cardiovascular regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate elevated plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.
- To assess the relationship between ANP levels and clinical/echocardiographic indicators in HCM.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing ANP levels in 14 HCM patients and 17 healthy controls.
- Echocardiography to assess left ventricular structure and diastolic function.
- Clinical evaluation of all participants.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma ANP concentrations in HCM patients versus controls (17.86 ± 8.72 vs. 6.22 ± 3.26 pmol/l, P = 0.0001).
- Diastolic dysfunction present in 11 of 14 HCM patients.
- No correlation found between ANP levels and diastolic dysfunction, cardiac structure, or functional class.
Conclusions:
- Plasma ANP levels are elevated in patients diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Elevated ANP in HCM does not correlate with symptoms or echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and diastolic function.
Study Objectives:
To determine if plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide are elevated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to determine the relationship of atrial natriuretic peptide to symptoms and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular structure and diastolic function in these patients.
Design:
A prospective study in which atrial natriuretic peptide was measured in peripheral venous plasma in 14 patients (age 44 +/- 14 years) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 17 healthy controls. Echocardiography was performed in all cases and 30 controls to examine indices of left heart structure and function. All patients underwent clinical evaluation.
Results:
The concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide was significantly higher in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy than controls, (17.86 +/- 8.72 vs. 6.22 +/- 3.26 pmol/l, P = 0.0001). Diastolic dysfunction was observed in 11 of 14 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. No correlation was demonstrated between atrial natriuretic peptide levels and the degree of diastolic dysfunction, septal or free wall thickness, left atrial size, degree of mitral regurgitation or New York Heart Association functional class.
Conclusions:
Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide are elevated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but do not correlate with symptoms or echocardiographically-derived indices of left ventricular structure or diastolic function.
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