title: Increased nitric oxide production in heart failure.
abstract: The role of nitric oxide in heart failure is unknown. The high-capacity inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase is present in the myocardium of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Plasma nitrate, the stable end-product of nitric oxide production, was significantly increased in patients with heart failure compared with normal controls (means 51.3 and 24.6 mumol/L). Vasodilation caused by increased nitric oxide may compensate for the vasoconstrictor effect of neurohumoral adaptions to heart failure. Alternatively, excess production may be detrimental to the heart by a direct negative inotropic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Winlaw
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Keogh
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Schyvens
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Spratt
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D009566:Nitrates; D009569:Nitric Oxide