Pro-atrial natriuretic peptide hormone from right atria is correlated with cardiac depression in septic patients

N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide [proANP(1-98)] has been extensively investigated in patients with chronic heart failure and ishemic heart disease. It is found to be a better marker of cardiac dysfunction than atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The possible involvement of proANP(1-98) in cardiac depression caused by sepsis has not been studied yet. Therefore, we analyzed atrial plasma concentration of proANP(1-98) in 17 septic patients with hemodynamic variables measured or calculated using pulmonary artery catheter. The results of altogether 96 measurements show a significant negative correlation of proANP(1-98) and cardiac index (p