Differential Secretion of Atrial and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are cardiac hormones with natriuretic, vasorelaxant, and aldosterone-inhibiting properties. We analyzed the plasma of 178 critically ill patients for ANP, BNP, aldosterone, and serum sodium concentration, as well as serum and urine osmolality and sodium filtration fraction. Mean plasma concentrations of ANP and BNP were increased in critically ill patients compared with healthy controls (ANP, 14.3 ± 5.8 pmol/L versus 8.8 ± 3.2 pmol/L, P P