Natriuretic peptides and heart transplant.
Research into hormone secretion by the heart and the release of such hormones in detectable amounts in response to given clinical conditions has provided new perspectives full of hopes but also uncertainties. These hormones, called natriuretic peptides, have diuretic, natriuretic and vasodilating properties. In heart failure, a relationship between ventricular dysfunction and the levels of these peptides, with implications for morbidity and mortality, has been demonstrated. Less research has been carried out into heart transplant, and while increased levels of hormones are also observed when graft dysfunction occurs, their role in acute rejection or as an independent factor associated with prognosis has not been clarified.
Almenar
Luis
L
Unit of Heart Failure and Transplant, Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario La Fe, 46015 Valencia, Spain. lu.almenarb5@comv.es
Martínez-Dolz
Luis
L
Moro
Jose
J
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis
D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D020098:Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor