Efficacy of Low-Dose Continuous Infusion of α-Human Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (hANP) During Cardiac Surgery : Possibility of Postoperative Left Ventricular Remodeling Effect

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of α-human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) in cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods and Results A prospective randomized study was conducted with 150 patients who underwent scheduled coronary artery bypass grafting to compare a group of patients receiving 0.02μg. kg^<-1>. min^<-1> of hANP from the initiation of CPB with a group not receiving hANP. Hemodynamics, levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), angiotensin-II and aldosterone, renin activity, and left ventricular (LV) function were examined. The hANP group showed significantly lower renin activity and lower levels of angiotensin-II and aldosterone during the early postoperative period, compared with the non-hANP group. The incidence of postoperative ventricular arrhythmia and the postoperative peak level of creatine kinase-MB were significantly lower in the hANP group. BNP at 1 month after surgery and measures of LV function were also significantly lower in the hANP group. Conclusions Low-dose continuous infusion of hANP during cardiac surgery not only had a compensatory effect for the imperfections of CPB during the early postoperative period but also an inhibitory effect on postoperative LV remodeling and a reduction in ischemia/reperfusion injury. hANP should be part of the postoperative care for cardiac surgery.