[Atriopeptin: a new hormone in water-salt regulation].

The discovery of biologically active peptides in mammalian atria represents an important advance in the area of cardiovascular and renal research. Atrial natriuretic factor has been isolated from atrial cardiocytes and is released into the blood after atrial stretch. It has been shown to possess important physiologic actions affecting renal hemodynamics and electrolyte excretion, smooth muscles, blood pressure and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its participation in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, hypertension, chronic renal failure and chronic liver disease is reviewed.