Plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides in a case with hypertensive encephalopathy.
Hemodynamic mechanism for brain edema forrmation in patients with hypertensive encephalopathy is unclear. Potential roles of natriuretic peptides in the pathogenesis of hypertensive encephalopathy are discussed. A 32-year-old man presented with slight left hemiparesis. He was slightly confused, and his blood pressure was extremely high. Cranial plain computerized tomography scans revealed diffuse brain edema mainly in the supratentorial white matter region. Blood examination revealed that plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides were significantly high. His left hemiparesis disappeared within a day, but he tended to be agitated. His altered mental status, however, resolved with control of blood pressure. Serial magnetic resonance imagings demonstrated that the magnitude of brain edema was attenuated in proportion to decline in plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides. This case suggests that significant elevation of plasma concentrations of natriuretic peptides may contribute to an acute rise in blood pressure, and that these peptides potentially play an important role in development of brain edema in hypertensive encephalopathy.
Nakagawa
Kazuhiko
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Toshima Hospital, Japan. nakagawa@toshima-hp.metro.tokyo.jp
Yamaguchi
Takekane
T
Seida
Mitsuru
M
Tanaka
Youji
Y
Yoshino
Maki
M
D000328:Adult; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001930:Brain Injuries; D006801:Humans; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity; D011859:Radiography; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D013997:Time Factors
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor