LEVELS OF ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-FACTOR IN THE PLASMA AND URINE OF PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT HEART-FAILURE

We assayed the concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor and guanosi ne 3',5'-phosphate in the plasma and urine of six healthy subjects, 12 patients with coronary artery disease and 11 patients with congestive heart failure. Patients with coronary artery disease had normal level s of atrial natriuretic factor in the plasma and urine and a normal ex cretion of guanosine 3',5'-phosphate, while those with congestive hear t failure had a raised level of atrial natriuretic factor in the plasm a, an increased excretion of 3',5'-guanosine phosphate and normal excr etion of atrial natriuretic factor. Thus, measurement of atrial natriu retic factor in the urine can not replace the assay of the peptide in plasma.