BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE - EFFECT ON LEFT-VENTRICULAR FILLING PATTERNS IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

1. Elevated plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide are fou nd in conditions associated with impaired left ventricular diastolic f unction, The purpose of this study was to determine whether this pepti de actually plays a physiological role in improving myocardial perform ance in diastole. 2. Nine normal subjects received infusions of brain natriuretic peptide or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, crossove r study, Brain natriuretic peptide infusion produced a significant red uction in isovolumic relaxation time (means and 95% confidence interva l for difference -10.8 ms, -14.5 to -7.0 ms) (P<0.01) and significantl y increased both the peak E/A velocity (0.54, 0.14-0.94) (P<0.05) and the E/A time velocity integral (1.09, 0.20-1.98) (P<0.05). 3. These re sponses were evident at concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide th at produced no associated effects on blood pressure, heart rate or str oke distance. 4. Brain natriuretic peptide infusion in normal subjects significantly reduces isovolumic relaxation time and improves transmi tral Doppler flow profiles, suggesting that this peptide may be import ant in the control of left ventricular diastolic relaxation in man.