[Adrenomedullin in cardiovascular pathology].

Adrenomedullin (AM), inducing a potent and powerful hypotensive activity caused by dilatation of resistance vessels, has elicited interest for its cardiovascular actions. AM is secreted from various cell type, including vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell. AM plasma levels are increased in various cardiovascular diseases as heart failure and hypertension and may be involved in pathophysiological changes in cardiovascular diseases.