Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with acute myocardial infarction

A series of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP） measurement in 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction at the early stage indicates an initial increase within 24 hours after onset of symptom, a peak value in 96 hours, an abnormal level even at the end of second week. Thereis no remarkable relationship among ANP, GOT, CK and Mb. 15 patients with cardiac dysfunc tion showed 2101.7±153.6pg/ml; but the value was 616.6±131.0pg/ml in 25 cases without cardiac dysfunction （P＜0.001）. Further evidence is documented in 4 cases with hemodynamic data. ANP levels in cases accompanied by hypertension are not markedly higher than those in cases without hypertension. ANP in those whose blood pressure still remain at high level after AMI than that in those whose blood pressure become normal after AMI.