Effect of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on Muscle Sympathetic Activity and Its Reflex Control in Human Heart Failure

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Abstract
Background—The purpose of this study was to determine if atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exerts a relative inhibitory effect on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) at rest and during nonhypotensive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in heart failure, as in healthy subjects. Methods and Results—Fifteen men (age 39±2 years [mean±SE]) with dilated cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction 18±3%) received intravenous ANP (50 μg bolus, then 50 ng · kg−1 · min−1) and nitroglycerin (NTG, 8 mg/min) as a hemodynamic control. During each infusion MSNA, blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded before and during LBNP at −6 and −12 mm Hg. NTG and ANP caused similar and significant reductions in CVP and diastolic BP, but resting MSNA did not increase with either infusion. LBNP at −6 mm Hg lowered CVP (PPPP=NS). Conclusions—These observations are consistent with the concept that ANP exerts a sympathoinhibitory action in heart failure. This is most evident in response to reductions in atrial pressures that do not affect systemic BP.