Delay in opening the infarct related coronary artery increases plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels were measured in rabbits dur ing the late healing phase of myocardial infarcts. Significant differences in plasma ANP levels (P < 0.02) were found between rabbits that had undergo ne very late (6 h) or early reperfusion (20 and 45 min of ischemia) of the infarct related coronary artery. Differences in ANP levels were independent of infarct size, ventricular remodeling and infarct expansion. We conclude late reperfusion of infarct related artery, independent of myocardial salv age, is associated with increased circulating ANP plasma levels. (C) 1999 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.