INCREASED PLASMA VASOPRESSIN AND ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE IN CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS DURING ABDOMINAL-SURGERY

Chronic schizophrenic patients are reported to develop imbalanced wate r homeostasis by the pathological secretion of vasopressin and aldoste rone. We measured plasma vasopressin, aldosterone and atrial natriuret ic peptide in schizophrenic patients to elucidate the role of these ho rmones during a perioperative period. Eighteen schizophrenic patients with chronic antipsychotic drugs over 10 years and 22 as a control gro up who underwent elective lower abdominal surgery were the subjects of this study. In the schizophrenic patients, plasma aldosterone secreti on was significantly inhibited, while plasma vasopressin and atrial na triuretic peptide were significantly increased during surgery. A good relationship (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) between plasma atrial natriuretic pe ptide and plasma osmolality was obtained 60 min after skin incision, b ut not before the induction of anesthesia. The findings suggest that c hronic schizophrenic patients may develop an abnormal secretion of vas opressin, aldosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide during anesthesia .