Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide hormone from right atria is correlated withcardiac depression in septic patients

N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [proANP(1-98)] has been extensive ly investigated in patients with chronic heart failure and ishemic heart di sease. It is found to be a better marker of cardiac dysfunction than atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The possible involvement of proANP(1-98) in car diac depression caused by sepsis has not been studied yet. Therefore, we an alyzed atrial plasma concentration of proANP(1-98) in 17 septic patients wi th hemodynamic variables measured or calculated using pulmonary artery cath eter, The results of altogether 96 measurements show a significant negative correlation of proANP(1-98) and cardiac index (p<0.024), oxygen delivery ( p<0.03) and oxygen consumption (p<0.03), There is also a positive correlati on with pulmonary vascular resistance (p<0.03). ProANP(1-98) is significant ly higher in patients who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (AR DS) (p<0.001), This study implies that proANP(1-98) is a possible novel hor mone marker of cardiac depression caused by sepsis that could be used for p rediction of ARDS. (J. Endocrinol. Invest, 24: RC22-RC24, 2001) (C) 2001, E ditrice Kurtis.