High plasma levels of N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide associated with low anxiety in severe heart failure.

Objective: Plasma levels of natriuretic peptides are elevated in congestive heart failure (CHF). These peptides show anxiolytic properties in studies of rodents and patients with panic disorder, but their possible effect on anxiety has never been studied in cardiac patients. We therefore assessed associations of the Atrial Natriuretic Pro-Peptide (pro-ANP) with anxiety in patients with CHF and controls.