PLASMA-LEVELS OF ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-FACTOR (ANF) AND URINARY-EXCRETION OF ANF, ARGININE-VASOPRESSIN AND CATECHOLAMINES IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE - EFFECT OF CARDIAC-SURGERY

We studied the changes in the plasma concentration of atrial natriuret ic factor (ANF) and the urinary excretion of ANF, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and catecholamines in 22 children with congenital heart disease , divided into two groups. Group 1 included 11 children with congestiv e heart failure (CHF), treated with digitalis and diuretics. Group 2 i ncluded 11 children without CHF and without medical treatment. Each gr oup was compared with a control group of 15 healthy, age-matched child ren. The plasma concentration of ANF was raised in both groups, but it was significantly higher in group 1 (235.5 +/- 82.9 pg/ml), compared to group 2 (48.4 +/- 29.4 pg/ml, P < 0.002). Urinary excretion of ANF was measurable in both groups and higher in group 1 (185.9 +/- 116.2 p g/kg per h) than in group 2 (48.5 +/- 30.7 pg/kg per h), but not signi ficantly so. Urinary excretion of AVP and catecholamines was not diffe rent in children with congenital heart disease and healthy children. T wenty-four hours after surgery, plasma ANF diminished in group 1 (from 235.5 +/- 82.9 to 93.4 +/- 53.8 pg/ml, P < 0.003), but did not change in group 2. The urinary excretion of ANF was unchanged in both groups . In contrast, urinary excretion of AVP and catecholamines rose signif icantly in both groups. These data show that plasma ANF is increased i n children with congenital heart disease, even in the absence of CHE T he measurement of urinary ANF is less reliable than a plasma assay. Th e postoperative increases in AVP and catecholamine urinary excretions could be responsible for the vasoconstriction and water retention typi cal of the postoperative period.