INFLUENCE OF ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE ON PLASMA ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE

The effect of orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease (PD) on p lasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was examined in fifteen individ uals with PD without autonomic dysfunction (63-85 years), nine PD pati ents with autonomic dysfunction (orthostatic hypotension; systolic BP change > 20 mmHg after 5 min standing: 69-82 years) and 14 fit elderly volunteers (62-93 years). The mean ANP level was 42.2 pg/ml (range 16 .8-89.2 pg/ml) in the PD group without autonomic dysfunction; 44.4 pg/ ml (range 27.2-91.2 pg/ml) in the PD group with autonomic dysfunction; and 48.5 pg/ml (range 22.2-111.6 pg/ml) in the elderly group. There w as no statistical difference in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide betw een all three groups. The mean change in blood pressure was -39 mmHg ( systolic) and -18 mmHg (diastolic) between supine and standing in the group with orthostatic hypotension.