[Effects of atrial fibrillation on the increase of atrial natriuretic peptide in congestive heart failure].

Aim of the study was to assess possible differences in ANP levels between patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) with and without chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). We studied 12 patients with chronic AF and 17 patients with sinus rhythm (SR), (m 16, f 13, years 67.7 +/- 8.6), with CHF, not hypertensive, without valvular or congenital heart disease, NYHA class II-III, by ANP RIA and echocardiography. Left atrial (LA/m2) dimensions were significantly higher in patients with AF, and ANP was also more increased in AF. Significant linear correlations between heart rate and ANP, ANP and LV shortening fraction and ANP and A/E ratio, assessed by Doppler trans-mitral flow, were observed in SR but not in AF patients. A significant correlation between ANP and left ventricular mass g/m2 was observed only in AF. Higher ANP levels seem associated with left ventricular enlargement, assessed as left ventricular mass, in AF patients; in SR patients, higher ANP levels are associated with depressed systolic function and with decreased left ventricular compliance. Rate dependent ANP incretion seems blunted in chronic AF; neurogenic heart rate control and/or coordinated atrial systoles may be ANP modulators in sinus rhythm CHF.