Myocardial production of C-type natriuretic peptide in chronic heart failure.
BACKGROUND
C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a vasodilator produced by the vascular endothelium. It shares structural and physiological properties with the cardiac hormones atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), but little is known about its pathophysiological role in chronic heart failure (CHF). We assessed the hypothesis that CNP is produced by the heart in patients with CHF.


RESULTS
Myocardial CNP production was determined (difference in plasma levels between the aortic root and coronary sinus [CS]) in 9 patients undergoing right and left heart catheterization as part of their CHF assessment (all male, age 59+/-9 years; New York Heart Association class 2.2+/-0.1; left ventricular ejection fraction 29+/-5%; creatinine 105+/-8 micro mol/L [all values mean+/-SEM]). BNP, established as originating from myocardium, was assessed from the same samples as a positive control. Analyses were performed by a blinded operator using a standard competitive radioimmunoassay kit (Peninsula Laboratories, Bachem Ltd UK). A step-up (29%) in plasma CNP concentration was found from the aorta to the CS (3.55+/-1.53 versus 4.59+/-1.54 pg/mL, respectively; P=0.035). The mean increase in CNP was 0.90+/-0.35 pg/mL (range 0.05 to 2.80 pg/mL). BNP levels increased by 57% from aorta to CS (86.0+/-20.5 versus 135.0+/-42.2 pg/mL; P=0.01). CS CNP levels correlated with mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r=0.82, P=0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown that CNP is produced by the heart in patients with CHF. Although further evaluation is required to define its full pathophysiological role in this condition, CNP may represent an important new local mediator in the heart.
Kalra
Paul R
PR
Clinical Cardiology, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK. p.kalra@ic.ac.uk
Clague
Jonathon R
JR
Bolger
Aidan P
AP
Anker
Stefan D
SD
Poole-Wilson
Phillip A
PA
Struthers
Allan D
AD
Coats
Andrew J
AJ
D000368:Aged; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000097:blood*; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications
D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor