Clinical Meaning of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Chronic Heart Failure

Objective To observe changes of brain natriuretic peptide in chronic heart failure and effects of carvedilol on the changes. Methods The subjects were divided into CHF group(n=50) and healthy control group(n=20). Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassy(RIA) immediately after admission. Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventri-cular internal dimension at end-diastole(LVED) were measured by mode echocardiography. Results ANP and BNP concentrations of CHF group were higher than those of control group(P0.01).The concentrations increased with the severity of heart failure (P0.01).Two weeks later,there was no difference of NYHA heart functional classes between groups wheather plus carvedilol or not(P 0.05),but ANP and BNP concentrations were more decreased in carvedilol group.Carvedilol significantly improved LVEF and LVED three months later(P0.05). Conclusion ANP and BNP concentrations can reflect the state of cardiac function; Carvedild can not only improve cardiac function but also lower the ANP and BNP concentrations.