Atrial natriuretic factor and sympathetic activation in human heart failure

What Was Tested

Researchers studied ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide) in this clinical trial publication.

Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relations between the release of ANF and the sympathetic system in human heart failure.

Why It Was Studied

The neurohormonal changes occur early, have important prognostic value, and may play a role in the evolution and progression of heart failure in man.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a natriuretic and vasorelaxant peptide.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 18 patients were involved.

PubMed indexes the participants as middle-aged adults, both men and women.

What Was Measured

Previous studies indicated that plasma ANF provides prognostic information and, ANF levels closely related to both severity of disease and catecholamine levels but, it is still unclear if high circulating levels of ANF, which are present in heart failure constantly, may be to correlate with sympathetic nervous activity in man.

Blood was collected at rest, and immediately after exercise for determination of plasma levels of ANF, norepinephrine and epinephrine levels.

The subject headings attached to it are Atrial Natriuretic Factor, Exercise Test, Heart Failure and Sympathetic Nervous System.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is a clinical trial of ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide) in 18 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 1994 (Rivista europea per le scienze mediche e farmacologiche = European review for medical and pharmacological sciences = Revue europeenne pour les sciences medicales et pharmacologiques), a journal based in Italy.

More context: the ANP (Atrial Natriuretic Peptide) compound page, all human trials.