Effect of right atrial appendectomy on the release of atrial natriuretic hormone.

Atrial natriuretic hormone is released from the right atrial appendage in response to atrial distention. During cardiac operations the right atrial appendage is usually removed or ligated for venous cannulation. To evaluate the effect of right atrial appendectomy on the release of atrial natriuretic hormone and its natriuretic and diuretic responses, the prospectively randomized into two groups 23 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass operations. There were 16 male and 7 female patients with a mean age of 62±7 years