急性心肌梗塞过程中心房肽和脑钠素的变化

目的 :探讨急性心肌梗塞过程中血浆心房肽 (ANP)、脑钠素 (BNP)浓度的变化。　　方法 :1用放射免疫法测定 2 7例急性前壁心肌梗塞患者入院即刻、入院后第 1天至第 7天、第 14天和第 30天及 6 0名对照者的血浆 ANP、BNP浓度。 2用放射性核素 99m锝心血池扫描测定发病后 7天及 30天的左心室射血分数。　　结果 :2 7例患者血浆 ANP浓度仅于入院时、入院后第 1天和第 2天显著高于正常对照组 (P<0 .0 1) ,而 BNP浓度则在所测各时间点均高于正常对照组 (ANP、BNP的正常值分别为 35 .6± 4.6 pg/ ml和 11.7± 2 .3pg/ ml)。血浆 ANP浓度入院时已达到峰值 ,而血浆 BNP的峰值在入院后第 2天出现。血浆 BNP浓度和与时间对应的左心室射血分数之间存在较密切的负相关 (r=- 0 .5 2 ,P<0 .0 5 ;r=- 0 .6 5 ,P<0 .0 1)。　　结论 :急性心肌梗塞后血浆 ANP、BNP浓度显著升高且后者入院后出现峰值 ,心肌缺血损伤和收缩功能降低可能是引起血浆 BNP浓度升高的原因之一。     

心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠素浓度与心功能的关系

目的 :研究心力衰竭 ( HF)患者血浆心房肽 ( ANP)、脑钠素 ( BNP)浓度与心脏原发疾病、HF严重程度及左室功能的关系。方法 :用放射免疫法测定 75例 HF患者 ( HF组 )及 60例健康体检者 (对照组 )血浆 ANP、BNP浓度 ;用 Swan- Ganz漂浮导管测定心脏指数 ( CI)和肺毛细血管楔入压 ( PCWP) ;用放射性核素 99m锝心血池扫描测定左室射血分数 ( L VEF)。结果 :HF组血浆 ANP、BNP浓度显著高于对照组 ( P <0 .0 1)。且均随着Forrester分级程度的加重而显著增加。血浆 ANP浓度与 PCWP之间具有良好的正相关 ( r =0 .64,P <0 .0 1)。血浆 BNP浓度与 CI、L VEF之间具有良好的负相关 (分别 r =- 0 .76,r=- 0 .78,均 P <0 .0 1)。HF组中心肌梗死者的血浆 BNP浓度显著高于心脏瓣膜病和扩张型心肌病者 ( P<0 .0 1)。结论 :HF患者血浆 ANP、BNP浓度随着 HF严重程度的增加而升高 ;心肌梗死后 HF患者血浆 BNP浓度的升高更加明显 ;HF患者的血浆 BNP浓度能较好地反映左心室功能状态     

应用多普勒组织成像技术评价原发性高血压左室舒张功能及其相关因素

目的:应用多普勒组织成像技术(DTI)探讨原发性高血压(EH)左室舒张功能的特点,同时检测血中心钠素(ANP)、脑钠素(BNP)的变化,分析两者与左室舒张功能的关系。方法:对照组20例,EH患者(EH组)61例,均行常规超声及DTI检查,EH患者根据左室质量指数(LVMI)分为左室心肌肥厚(LVH)亚组和无 LVH(NLVH )亚组。DTI测量二尖瓣侧环心肌舒张早期峰值运动速度(e)、晚期峰值运动速度(a)及其比值(e/a),测量二尖瓣瓣尖水平舒张早期的最大流速(E0)、舒张晚期的最大流速(A)及 E0 与A流速的比值E0/A。入选病例均测定血浆ANP、BNP浓度。结果:与对照组相比,EH患者E0/A、e/a减小,LVH亚组减小更明显;与对照组相比,EH血浆 ANP、BNP浓度升高, LVH升高更明显; E0/A、e/a比值与 ANP 呈负相关( r = - 0.56和 r = -0.60, 均P<0.01),与BNP呈负相关( r=-0.62和 r=-0.65,均 P<0.01)。结论:血浆 ANP、BNP与应用DTI技术评价的EH左室舒张功能均有较好相关性。     

介入治疗对冠心病患者血浆脑钠素水平及心室重塑的影响

目的观察介入治疗对冠心病合并心功能不全患者再次发生心绞痛后血浆脑钠素水平及心室重塑的影响。方法50例冠心病合并心功能不全患者,随机分为对照组25例和介入组25例,应用酶链免疫吸附法测定治疗前、治疗后6个月时的血浆脑钠素水平,及心脏超声诊断仪测量同期心脏的结构和功能。结果①对照组、介入组与正常组相比血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平在治疗前及6个月后差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);对照组、介入组血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平在治疗前相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),介入治疗6个月后相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②治疗前两组间患者左心室舒张末期内径、左心室舒张末期容积、左心室收缩末期容积及射血分数相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);6个月后两组间患者左心室舒张末期内径、左心室舒张末期容积、左心室收缩末期容积及射血分数相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。③两组患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平与同期左心室收缩末期容积呈正相关(r=0.51,P≤0.05),与左室射血分数呈负相关(r=-0.43,P≤0.01)。结论冠心病合并心功能不全患者再次发生心绞痛后进行介入治疗,可使血浆脑钠素水平下降,并改善心室重塑。     

高血压患者血浆脑钠肽与心功能指标的相关性研究

目的研究高血压患者血浆B型脑钠肽(BNP)水平与超声心动图指标、心电图V1导联P波终末电势(PtfV1)的相关性。方法将147例门诊及住院患者分为高血压1级(10例)、高血压2级(21例)、高血压3级(39例)、高血压伴舒张性心衰(DHF,42例)、高血压舒张伴收缩性心衰(DHF+SHF,35例)5组,同时选取35名健康者为对照组。测定血浆BNP水平,利用超声心动图测定每组左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)及左房内径(LAD),常规描记12导联心电图并计算V1导联P波终末电势,对结果进行统计学处理。结果 BNP水平在高血压3级与正常对照组、高血压1级、高血压2级,高血压伴DHF组与其他各组,高血压DHF+SHF组与其他各组之间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随着高血压级别增加和心功能恶化,BNP水平呈逐渐上升趋势。血浆BNP值与左室射血分数(LVEF)呈负相关性(r=-0.767,P0.01),与LVEDD呈正相关(r=0.642,P0.01),BNP水平与LAD呈正相关(r=0.706,P0.01),与PtfV1呈负相关(r=-0.623,P0.01)。结论临床上对高血压患者进行血浆BNP水平测定,结合超声心动图测定指标、心电图V1导联P波终末电势,有助于了解高血压患者心脏损害程度,诊断舒张性心衰和对心功能进行综合评估。     

心血管病患者血浆脑钠素与左室舒张功能的关系

目的:探讨左室舒张功能障碍患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平变化及其意义。方法:选择左室舒张功能障碍患者60例(患者组)及健康体检者20例(对照组),采用固相免疫放射分析法检测血浆BNP浓度。超声多普勒结合组织多普勒显像(TDI)测定左室结构、左室舒张功能及左室舒张末压。结果:①与对照组相比,患者组BNP浓度升高,左房内径增大、室间隔和左室后壁增厚,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);但左室内径和左室射血分数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②记录患者组二尖瓣舒张早期最大血流速度(E)与舒张晚期的最大血流速度(A)及其比值,二尖瓣瓣环-室间隔交界处舒张早期的速度峰值(Em间)和二尖瓣瓣环-侧壁交界处舒张早期的速度峰值(Em侧),计算出E/Em间呈E/Em侧,与对照组比较,患者组E/A比值降低、E/Em侧升高(P<0.01)。③患者组血浆BNP浓度与E/Em侧、E/Em间呈正相关(均r=0.29,P<0.05)。结论:左室舒张功能障碍患者BNP浓度明显升高,左室舒张末压升高是刺激BNP分泌的因素。     

检测血心钠肽水平对舒张性心力衰竭的诊断意义

目的:探讨测定血心钠肽(ANP)水平对诊断舒张性心力衰竭(DHF)的意义.方法:选择66例DHF患者作为实验组、64例非DHF的呼吸困难患者作为对照组,应用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)测定其血清ANP和脑钠素(BNP)水平,同时行心脏B超检查.并据ANP水平等对实验组和对照组进行分析判断.结果:DHF组的ANP水平...     

半乳糖凝集素3在老年收缩功能正常心力衰竭患者中的临床价值

目的探讨老年心力衰竭(心衰)患者血浆半乳糖凝集素3(galectin-3)表达及其与心脏结构、功能的关系,为心衰的早期诊断和评估提供新的方法。方法选取老年患者106例,根据美国Framingham心衰诊断标准和纽约心功能(NYHA)分级标准分为心衰组55例和非心衰组51例,检测其血浆galectin-3和B型钠尿肽(BNP)表达,应用超声心动图评价心脏结构和功能。结果心衰组冠心病、心房颤动、陈旧性心肌梗死、左心房内径、左心室舒张末内径、galectin-3、BNP表达明显高于非心衰组,LVEF明显低于非心衰组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。galectin-3与BNP(r=0.890,P<0.01)、左心房内径(r=0.966,P<0.01)、左心室舒张末内径(r=0.905,P<0.01)呈正相关。结论血浆galectin-3增高与心衰有关,galectin-3可能作为生物标记物帮助早期识别心衰。     

高血压病左心室肥厚患者血浆脑钠素水平

目的观察高血压病左心室肥厚患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平,并血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(ACEI)治疗前后左心室肥厚的逆转情况,探讨血浆BNP水平可否作为判断左心室肥厚与逆转的临床指标.方法筛选高血压病伴左心室肥厚组患者40例,高血压病无左心室肥厚组患者30例及正常血压对照组30例,予以高血压病患者喹那普利5～10 mg治疗24周,采用超声心动图测定左心室质量指数(LVMI),E/A比值;放射免疫分析法测定血浆BNP水平,对BNP与LVMI、E/A比值作直线相关分析.结果高血压病左心室肥厚患者组的血浆BNP水平明显高于高血压病无左心室肥厚患者组和正常血压对照组(P<0.01),经ACEI治疗后高血压病左心室肥厚患者组血浆BNP水平明显下降(P<0.01),且与LVMI呈显著正相关(治疗前r=0.45,P<0.01;治疗后 r=0.39,P<0.01),与E/A比值呈显著负相关(治疗前r=-0.70,P<0.01;治疗后r=-0.69,P<0.01).结论血浆BNP水平可作为判断高血压病左心室肥厚与逆转的一个敏感指标.     

脑钠肽和N末端脑钠肽前体在老年舒张性心力衰竭患者中的比较

目的对老年舒张性心力衰竭(DHF)患者血浆脑钠肽(BNP)和N末端脑钠肽前体浓度进行比较,探讨其在老年DHF中的诊断价值。方法对诊断为DHF的老年患者129例(DHF组)及老年健康体检者77例(对照组)行心脏超声检查,应用酶联免疫法测定其血浆BNP浓度,采用电化学发光法双抗体夹心免疫法测定血浆N末端脑钠肽前体浓度,比较两组血浆BNP和N末端脑钠肽前体浓度及其与心脏舒张功能障碍分级的关系,并作受试者ROC曲线分析。结果DHF组血浆BNP和N末端脑钠肽前体水平均较对照组显著升高(P<0.01);且与舒张功能障碍程度相对应(P<0.01);血浆N末端脑钠肽前体水平高于BNP,并显著相关(r=0.812,P<0.01);ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.711(95%CI:0.630~0.792),120 ng/L作为界值的灵敏性为81.0%,特异性为63.3%;N末端脑钠肽前体AUC为0.765(95%CI:0.691~0.839),200 ng/L作为界值的灵敏性为82.3%,特异性为73.3%。结论血浆BNP和N末端脑钠肽前体均对老年DHF有一定的诊断价值;N末端脑钠肽前体是一个较BNP更为敏感的诊断DHF的生化指标。     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and atria natriuretic peptide as predictors for diastolic heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective To study the change of diastolic cardiac function in diabetic patients and to determine the diagnostic value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and atria natriuretic peptide （ANP） for diastolic heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Twelve healthy subjects and seventy-one diabetic patients were included in the study. Plasma BNP and ANP were measured with immtmoradiometic assay. Results Plasma levels of BNP and ANP increased significantly with increased severity of diastolic heart dysfunction. The ratio of E/A had significant negative correlation with the plasma levels ofBNP （r=0.669,P〈0.001） and ANP （r=0.579, P〈0.01）. AUC of ANP and BNP in ROC model was 91.9% and 65.3%, respectively. Conclusions The plasma level of BNP might be a valuable predictor for differential diagnosis of diastolic cardiac function in diabetic patients.     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in normotensive noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a member of the natriuretic peptide family, is produced and released from cardiac ventricles. BNP regulates the body fluid volume, blood pressure, and vascular tones through the A-type guanylate cyclase-coupled receptor. The presence of renal dysfunction in patients with diabetes affects the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In the present study, we investigated the plasma levels of BNP and ANP and their relationship in normotensive diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria and microalbuminuria. Forty-seven normotensive lean noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients (31 with normoalbuminuria, 16 with microalbuminuria), with normal cardiac function, and 30 age-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. The plasma levels of BNP in diabetic patients with microalbuminuria were significantly higher than those in diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (16.7+/-2.4 vs. 9.6+/-1.3 pg/mL, P<0.01) or normal subjects (16.7+/-2.4 vs. 7.0+/-0.6 pg/mL, P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between plasma BNP levels and urinary albumin excretion rate in all diabetic patients (r = 0.58, P<0.0001). There was also a significantly positive correlation between plasma BNP and ANP levels in diabetic patients (r = 0.62, P<0.0001). The increased plasma level of BNP in patients with microalbuminuria and its significant correlation with urinary albumin excretion rate suggest that the elevated circulating levels of BNP are caused by the presence of diabetic nephropathy. Down-regulation of A-type guanylate cyclase-coupled receptor of renal tubules may explain the increased plasma levels of both BNP and ANP in normotensive diabetic patients with microalbuminuria.     

Plasma adrenomedullin and natriuretic peptides in patients with essential or malignant hypertension.

Adrenomedullin (AM), a potent vasodilator and natriuretic peptide, is found in human blood. To investigate the pathophysiological role of AM in essential and malignant hypertension (EHT and MHT), we measured the plasma concentrations of AM in patients with EHT of WHO stage I or II (n = 42) and in those with MHT (n = 9) by a specific radioimmunoassay, and compared these concentrations with those in normotensive controls (n = 46). The plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) in these subjects were also measured by immunoradiometric assays, and their relations to plasma AM were examined. The plasma AM level in the EHT patients (7.15+/-0.21 pmol/l, mean+/-SEM) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that in the normotensive controls (6.14+/-0.25 pmol/l), and a further elevation was observed in the MHT patients (14.1+/-3.8 pmol/l). Similar elevations of plasma ANP and BNP were seen in the two patient groups. The plasma AM level significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with not only the systolic (r = 0.44) and diastolic (r = 0.46) blood pressures, but also with the plasma levels of ANP (r = 0.43) and BNP (r = 0.43). The elevated plasma concentration of AM in the MHT patients decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after antihypertensive treatment, and the plasma ANP and BNP levels similarly declined. These results suggest that AM may participate, along with ANP and BNP, in mechanisms counteracting a further elevation of blood pressure in patients with EHT and MHT.     

Characterization of left ventricular filling abnormalities and its relation to elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide level in acute to chronic diastolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Although Doppler left ventricular (LV) filling abnormalities have been extensively analyzed in patients with systolic heart failure (SHF), they have not yet been well characterized in patients with acute to chronic diastolic heart failure (DHF) in the light of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 25 patients presenting with acute DHF and 25 with acute SHF, echo Doppler parameters and plasma BNP levels were obtained on admission and in the chronic stage. The mitral E/A ratio was lower in DHF patients than in SHF patients in the acute stage (1.3 +/-0.4 vs 1.8+/-0.9, p<0.05), and in the chronic stage of DHF the ratio decreased with plasma BNP level, but plasma BNP level was still greater than 100 pg/ml in 15 patients (60%). Among patients with DHF the plasma BNP level did not correlate with the mitral E/A ratio or deceleration time (r=0,25, p=NS; r=0,23, p=NS), but did with estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r=0.64, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A restrictive mitral flow velocity pattern is observed in only 25% of patients with DHF, so it is particularly important to recognize pseudonormalization in those with possible DHF. Persistently elevated plasma BNP level is not primarily caused by LV diastolic dysfunction, but by secondary alteration for hemodynamic adjustment (elevated LV end-diastolic pressure) in patients with DHF.     

Relationship between plasma atrial and brain natriuretic peptide concentration and hemodynamic parameters during percutaneous transvenous mitral valvulotomy in patients with mitral stenosis.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), a family of peptides with structural and biologic homologies to previously identified atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), has been found in human cardiac tissue and plasma. To examine the secretion mechanism of these peptides, we have studied the relationship between their plasma concentrations and hemodynamic parameters before and at 0.5 and 24 hours after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) in 14 patients with mitral stenosis. We have also investigated the validity of measuring plasma natriuretic peptides as a means for estimating changes in hemodynamic parameters after PTMC. The procedure decreased left atrial pressure (p < 0.01) with an elevation in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p < 0.05). Plasma ANP levels decreased significantly after PTMC (before, 64.1 +/- 33.7 fmol/ml; at 0.5 hour, 58.9 +/- 27.7 fmol/ml; at 24 hours, 45.7 +/- 18.3 fmol/ml; p < 0.01), whereas plasma BNP levels remained unchanged after the procedure (before, 5.3 +/- 1.5 fmol/ml; at 0.5 hour, 5.6 +/- 1.9 fmol/ml; at 24 hours, 5.0 +/- 1.9 fmol/ml; p = NS). There was a significant relationship between basal plasma ANP and left atrial pressure (r = 0.88; p < 0.001), and changes in plasma ANP were correlated with those in left atrial pressure (r = 0.69; p < 0.01). Basal plasma BNP was significantly correlated with basal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (r = 0.65; p < 0.05) but not with the other measured hemodynamic parameters or with plasma volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

先天性心脏病患儿介入治疗前后血浆脑钠尿肽水平与心脏功能的关系

目的 探讨先天性心脏病（CHD）患儿血浆脑尿钠肽（BNP）水平与心脏功能的关系及其在心导管介入治疗前后的变化特点。方法 依据纽约大学儿童心力衰竭指数（NYUPHFI）对先天性心脏病患儿心脏功能进行评定,并分为并发心力衰竭组（心衰组,n=18）及未并发心衰组（非心衰组,n=25）;利用超声心动图检测两组的左室射血分数（LVEF）;采用罗氏床旁快速定量诊断仪测定全血BNP含量。结果 入院时及介入术后心衰组及非心衰组间患儿血浆BNP、NYUPHFI及LVEF均有显著性差异（P<0.05,P<0.01）,两组在介入治疗之后血浆BNP均显著下降（P<0.01）;患儿血浆BNP浓度与LVEF呈显著负相关(r=-0.53,P<0.01);血浆BNP浓度与NYUPHFI呈显著正相关(r=0.61,P<0.01)。心衰组的先心病患儿血浆BNP浓度与LVEF呈显著负相关(r=-0.62,P<0.01),且血浆BNP浓度与NYUPHFI呈正相关(r=0.78,P<0.01),但在非心衰组未见有统计学意义的相关性。结论 先天性心脏病患儿血浆BNP与心脏功能密切相关,介入治疗后随着心脏功能的改善BNP浓度下降。     

Plasma natriuretic peptide levels and daily physical activity in patients with pacemaker implantation.

To determine whether plasma ANP and/or BNP levels can be used to detect limitations in daily physical activity after pacemaker implantation, we measured plasma ANP and BNP levels at a pacemaker follow-up clinic in 56 patients (62+/-15 yrs, 2AAI, 9VVI, 34DDD, 7VDD and 4 rate-responsive modes), daily physical activity evaluated by a specific activity scale questionnaire (METs) and VO2 max obtained by expired gas analysis during ergometer exercise. A very close correlation (n=6, r=0.89, p<0.05) was obseved between. ANP in patients with daily physical activity class III (2-4 METs, n=21) was significantly higher than class II (5-6 METs, n=23, p<0.01) and class I (>7 METs, n=8, p<0.01), while BNP in class III patients was significantly higher than in class II (p<0.0001) and class I (p<0.0001) patients. Significant correlations between daily physical activity and BNP (r=-0.64, p<0.0001) and ANP (r=-0.43, p<0.001) were observed. Physiological pacing mode did not necessarily offer a better profile for BNP levels compared with non-physiological pacing modes. Patients with ventricular pacing (wide QRS: VDD, RR-VVI and VVI) showed significantly high ANP (p<0.01) and BNP (p<0.01) levels compared with those in patients with atrial pacing (narrow QRS: AAI and RR-AAI). During exercise, plasma catecholamines and ANP levels were significantly elevated, however, BNP levels, which were already elevated at rest, did not change significantly, and reflected a limitation of daily physical activity. The present study revealed that 37.5% of the patients displayed an elevation in BNP and this was judged to be a limitation of physical activity class III being equivalent to NYHA II or more. Elevated resting BNP levels reflected a limitation in daily physical activity in these patients. These findings suggested a third condition for physiological pacing--synchronization of ventricular contraction (narrow QRS pacing)--in addition to the two conventional conditions of atrioventricular synchrony and rate-responsiveness.     

Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels in chronic respiratory failure with cor pulmonale.

Elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been described in patients with congestive heart failure and acute myocardial infarction. We measured plasma BNP levels in patients with chronic respiratory failure to evaluate the correlation between plasma BNP levels and pulmonary haemodynamics. Plasma BNP levels were measured in 28 patients with chronic respiratory failure accompanied by three underlying diseases [14 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), seven with sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis (sequelae Tbc) and seven with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB)] by immunoradiometric assay methods (IRMA). Twenty-one of 28 patients had already received oxygen supplementation and 16 of 21 patients were treated as outpatients with home oxygen therapy. Plasma BNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with chronic respiratory failure complicated by cor pulmonale (81.5 +/- 13.1 pg ml-1) compared to patients without cor pulmonale (13.3 +/- 2.7 pg ml-1, P < 0.001). As controls, plasma BNP levels in 10 patients with primary lung cancer were studied, and the results (3.5 +/- 1.0 pg ml-1) were not significantly different from those of patients with chronic respiratory failure without cor pulmonale. Plasma BNP levels in 12 healthy subjects were also studied, and the results (7.2 +/- 1.0 pg ml-1) were not significantly different from those of the control subjects. Plasma BNP levels showed a weak linear correlation with systolic pulmonary arterial blood pressure, estimated by Doppler echocardiography (r = 0.43; P = 0.068), but there was no significant correlation between BNP levels and the degree of hypoxaemia (r = 0.30; P = 0.138). Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels in patients with chronic respiratory failure were also measured using the same samples. Plasma ANP levels were also significantly elevated in patients with chronic respiratory failure complicated by cor pulmonale (80.8 +/- 12.1 pg ml-1) compared to patients without cor pulmonale (26.1 +/- 4.4 pg ml-1, P = 0.003). A significant correlation was found between plasma BNP and ANP levels (r = 0.68; P < 0.001). Our results suggest that the plasma BNP or ANP level may be a useful indicator for detecting the presence of cor pulmonale in patients with chronic respiratory failure.