Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Acute Changes in Central Blood Volume by Hyperthermia in Healthy Humans.

Background: Hyperthermia induces vasodilatation that reduces central blood volume (CBV), central venous pressure (CVP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) could be a relevant homeostatic defense mechanism during hyperthermia with a decrease in CBV. The present study evaluated how changes in plasma ANP reflect the changes in CBV during hyperthermia.

Independent effects of both right and left ventricular function on plasma brain natriuretic peptide.

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is increased in heart failure; however, the relative contribution of the right and left ventricles is largely unknown.

Aim: To investigate if right ventricular function has an independent influence on plasma BNP concentration.

Methods: Right (RVEF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) were determined in 105 consecutive patients by first-pass radionuclide ventriculography (FP-RNV) and multiple ECG-gated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERNV), respectively.