title: Elevated atrial natriuretic peptide level in giant right atrium complicating Marfan's syndrome.
abstract: We report a rare case of giant right atrial dilatation in a patient with Marfan's syndrome complicated by severe tricuspid regurgitation. Interestingly, the right atrial pressure was normal, but the atrial natriuretic peptide level was markedly elevated. We suggest that the underlying connective tissue abnormality had allowed extensive atrial distension which by causing an increased intramural tension according to Laplace's law stimulated atrial natriuretic peptide secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Pun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor