HumanAtrial Natriuretic Peptide Secretion

Humanatrial natriuretic peptide (hANP)isstored by granules ofbothhumanatria. Atrial distension appears to bea majorstimulus forhANPsecretion. Precapillary pulmonary hypertension increases right ventricular afterload andmaythus cause right atrial distension. Wetherefore hypothesized that hANPplasma concentrations (1) are higher intheright atrium than intheperipheral vein, (2) are increased inpatients withprecapillary pulmonary hypertension, and(3) correlate withright atrial pressure. Thirtythree adult patients withchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)orinterstitial fibrosis wereexamined by right heart catheterization. Meanpressures weremeasured intheright atrium, pulmonary artery, andpulmonary capillary wedgeposition, andblood wasdrawnfromthe right atrium andfromaperipheral vein fordetermination Human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP), arecently