PLASMA ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-FACTOR IN UNCOMPLICATED ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels were measured in 29 pati ents who had normal atrial hemodynamics on days 4 and 8 after an uncom plicated acute myocardial infarction (AMI). All patients had increased ANF levels on day 4. On day 8 the ANF levels had declined significant ly to normal values in 14 patients with enzymatically smaller AMI and higher ejection fractions (greater than or equal to 40%), while they r emained elevated in 16 patients with larger AMI and lower ejection fra ctions (<40%). The study data are compatible with increased secretion of ANF by the more extensively damaged left ventricles in AMI.