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Query: UMLS:C0018801 (heart failure)
 72,216 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Chronic heart failure is a disabling and lethal disorder with high incidence and prevalence in Western societies. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and heart transplantations diminish both mortality and morbidity, although both still remain high. Increased understanding of some of the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in the development of left ventricular dysfunction and the transition from asymptomatic systolic dysfunction to symptomatic heart failure has opened gates to new dimensions for the treatment of this disorder. The initial event in the pathophysiologic process is damage to the myocardium, most frequently a myocardial infarction. Almost simultaneously, activation of different neurohormonal systems occurs. The renin-angiotensin system and sympathetic nervous system are activated. Increased concentrations of hormones with counteractive activity have also been found, such as ANP and BNP. Interestingly, prolonged neurohormonal activation seems to occur only in patients with large infarcts or in patients with poor systolic function of the left ventricle. Moreover, available data from an echocardiographic study indicates that in patients with high concentrations of neurohormones in plasma a week after their infarction, left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle are highly likely to develop during long-term follow-up. Several studies have showed that ACE inhibitors are efficacious in chronic heart failure and among patients with reduced ejection fraction after myocardial infarction. What these patients have in common is prolonged neurohormonal activation, which theoretically may be harmful to myocardial cell structure and function. ACE inhibitors reduce the breakdown of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and increase the concentration of circulating bradykinins and prostaglandins. Further modulation of neurohormonal activity might be beneficial. Therefore, future treatment of chronic heart failure or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction might include beta-adrenergic blockers, neutral endopeptidase inhibitors, ANP, BNP, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and modulators of sympathetic activity.
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PMID:The role of neurohormonal activation in chronic heart failure and postmyocardial infarction. 867 61

To elucidate the predictors of the mortality rate in the elderly with chronic heart failure (HF), 120 consecutive patients (mean age, 75.2 +/- 7.8 years) with heart failure (NYHA I-II) were analyzed prospectively for 5 years. [Methods] Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimension (LVDD and LVDS) and wall thickness (WT) were measured by echocardiogram. Venipuncture for measurement of ANP and norepinephrine (NE) was done in supine position after 30 minute rest. [Results] 1) HF was associated with hypertension (47.5%), ischemic heart disease (34%), valvular disease (15%) and atrial fibrillation (AF, 23%). 2) 15 and 11 patients died for cardiac and non-cardiac events, respectively. 3) There was no difference in mean ages, gender, blood pressure, plasma-NE, EF, LVDD, LVDS, WT and AF between cardiac death and control groups. However, plasma ANP was higher in cardiac death group (173 pg/ml) than in control group (76 pg/ml) (p < 0.01). 4) Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that ANP was an independent predictor for cardiac death (p < 0.005). We conclude that only plasma ANP level predicts long-term prognosis of chronic heart failure in the elderly.
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PMID:[Long-term prognosis of chronic heart failure in the elderly]. 874 62

The cardiovascular consequences of mixed angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase (ACE/NEP) inhibition with alatriopril/alatrioprilat were compared with the consequences of endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition alone with (S)-thiorphan/ecadotril by determining the acute effects of the compounds on hemodynamic, hormonal, and renal parameters in hypertensive transgenic rats harboring an additional mouse renin gene (TGR(mRen2)27). Infusion of alatrioprilat and (S)-thiorphan in anesthetized TGR decreased blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, but heart rate remained unchanged. The renal excretion of water, sodium, and cGMP also increased dose-dependently, with nearly the same maximal effects after infusion of (S)-thiorphan and alatrioprilat. At the end of infusion, plasma ANP and cGMP were elevated both after (S)-thiorphan and after alatrioprilat, whereas plasma renin activity increased only after alatrioprilat. The ACE inhibition effect was studied in ganglion-blocked rats receiving a continous infusion of angiotensin I. Alatrioprilat decreased the mean blood pressure dose-dependently, but about 30 times higher concentrations were needed to produce the same effects as the ACE inhibitor captopril. At a dose of 30 mg/kg p.o., ecadotril, the orally active prodrug of (S)-thiorphan, decreased the systolic blood pressure in conscious TGR by 22 mmHg for 6 h, whereas alatriopril (100 mg/kg p.o.) also reduced the systolic pressure in these rats with a maximal reduction of 22 mmHg. In addition, ecadotril and alatriopril significantly increased the urinary excretion of sodium. In contrast, ACE inhibition with captopril decreased the excretion of sodium dose-dependently in conscious TGR. In conclusion, combined ACE/NEP inhibition produced a comparable lowering of blood pressure and improvement in renal function as those with NEP inhibition in TGR. Dual ACE/NEP inhibition may therefore be useful in cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension or heart failure.
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PMID:Cardiorenal consequences of dual angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibition in transgenic rats with an extra renin gene. 889 43

The influence of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition with (S)-thiorphan on the hormonal, renal, and blood-pressure-lowering effects of an infusion of atrial (ANP), brain (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) was evaluated in hypertensive transgenic rats (TGR) harboring an additional mouse renin gene (TGR(m(Ren2)27)). These TGR possess an activated natriuretic peptide system as compared with Sprague-Dawley rats (SDR), used in this study as control. (S)-Thiorphan significantly decreased blood pressure in anesthetized TGR but not in anesthetized SDR during the 60-min infusion period. Exogenously administered ANP decreased blood pressure in SDR with no significant effects in TGR after 60 min. In contrast, BNP infusion significantly decreased blood pressure in TGR, while changes in SDR were not significant. The blood pressure was further decreased after combined infusion of ANP and BNP with (S)-thiorphan in TGR. No effect on blood pressure was registered during infusion of CNP in either experimental group. The plasma levels of ANP, BNP, and cGMP were higher in TGR than in SDR, whereas plasma renin activity was lower. Co-administration of ANP, BNP, or CNP with the NEP inhibitor (S)-thiorphan potentiated the plasma ANP, BNP, and cGMP. Infusion of ANP alone did not affect BNP plasma levels of TGR and vice versa. In contrast, CNP infusion increased ANP plasma levels in both TGR and SDR. Renal excretion of sodium and cGMP increased after infusion of (S)-thiorphan and ANP or BNP in both TGR and SDR. The combination of ANP and (S)-thiorphan had a slightly greater effect on urinary excretion of sodium and cGMP in TGR than either compound alone, but the effects were more pronounced in SDR than in TGR. Finally, infusion of CNP alone and in combination with (S)-thiorphan influenced the excretion of sodium and cyclic GMP only slightly. These results indicate that inhibition of neutral endopeptidase by (S)-thiorphan potentiates the hemodynamic and renal effects of natriuretic peptides ANP and BNP, and to some extent those of CNP, in hypertensive TGR and normotensive SDR. In contrast to ANP and BNP, infusion of CNP had no effect on the blood pressure in anesthetized TGR or SDR. Inhibition of NEP therefore seems to be a promising way to potentiate endogenous levels of natriuretic peptides, which may be of therapeutic benefit in cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension or heart failure.
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PMID:Neutral endopeptidase inhibition potentiates the effects of natriuretic peptides in renin transgenic rats. 898 53

In the early phase of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction, neurohumoral systems are activated and are closely associated with the deterioration of left ventricular function and the progression into symptomatic heart failure. Congestive cardiac failure is characterized by an increasing activation of the sympathetic nerve activity, the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, vasopressin and endothelin. Together with a reduced endothelial formation of NO, the activation of neurohumoral systems leads to vaso-construction and retention of sodium and water, and by this, to a deterioration of cardiac function. On the other side, systems are activated like prostaglandins, ANP, BNP, dopamine and bradykinin, which act as vasodilators and increase natriuresis and diuresis. In the early phase of cardiac failure, natriuretic and vasodilator mechanisms are able to counteract vasoconstrictor factors, preventing by this unfavorable effects on left ventricular function.
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PMID:[Neurohumoral regulation in heart failure]. 906 67

Controversy persists regarding the acute responsiveness of atrial (ANP) and brain (BNP) natriuretic peptides in pathophysiological conditions such as acute heart failure (AHF). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that AHF is characterized by selective activation of ANP, but not BNP. We also hypothesized that BNP replacement in AHF would reduce cardiac filling pressures, increase sodium excretion, and inhibit circulating renin. Two groups of anesthetized dogs underwent rapid left ventricular pacing to induce AHF. Group 1 (n = 7) served as control and group 2 (n = 7) received canine BNP (10 ng x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Cardiorenal parameters, circulating natriuretic peptides, 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), and plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined at baseline and during AHF in both groups. AHF was characterized by reductions in cardiac output (2.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.3 l/min, P < 0.05), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP; 11.7 +/- 0.8 vs. 5.1 +/- 0.3 mmHg, P < 0.05), and selective activation of ANP (250 +/- 51 vs. 39 +/- 13 pg/ml, P < 0.05), with no increase in circulating BNP (49 +/- 15 vs. 60 +/- 16 pg/ml, P = not significant). Compared with control, exogenous supplemental BNP in AHF resulted in marked increases in circulating cGMP (65 +/- 6 vs. 18 +/- 5 pg/ml, P < 0.05), with reductions in PCWP (9.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 12.9 +/- 1.1 mmHg, P < 0.05) and increased urinary sodium excretion (120 +/- 36.8 vs. 24 +/- 6.3 microeq/min, P < 0.05) via reductions in distal tubular sodium reabsorption (94.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 98.0 +/- 0.4%, P < 0.05). Exogenous BNP prevented the increase in PRA that occurred in the control group. We conclude that AHF is characterized by a failure to increase circulating BNP underscoring differential physiological and pathophysiological roles for ANP and BNP in states of immediate cardiac overload. These studies also support a potential role for BNP in the therapeutics of AHF.
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PMID:BNP: pathophysiological and potential therapeutic roles in acute congestive heart failure. 914 4

Natriuretic peptide system consists of three endogenous ligands, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) and CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide), and three receptor subtypes, natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-A or guanylate cyclase (GC)-A and NPR-B or GC-B and C receptor (NPR-C). ANP and BNP are mainly secreted from the atrium and ventricle of the heart respectively to act as cardiac hormones whereas CNP is secreted from the endothelium to act as an endothelium-derived relaxing peptide. ANP and BNP regulate body fluid and blood pressure to reduce cardiac pre- and after-load. Recent molecular biology and developmental biotechnology demonstrated the physiological role of ANP and BNP for the determination of basal blood pressure. CNP can modulate the phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells to regulate vascular remodeling. Therefore, natriuretic peptide system is implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension, congestive heart failure atherosclerosis and renal diseases. Clinical application of natriuretic peptide system is actively going on progress. Determination of plasma ANP and BNP levels are useful for the evaluation of congestive heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy and acute myocardial infarction. Infusion of ANP improves acute heart failure. Application of NEP (neutral endopeptidase) inhibitor for the treatment of congestive heart failure and hypertension is under clinical trial.
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PMID:[Natriuretic peptide system]. 928 3

The effects of separate and combined endopeptidase inhibition (by SCH-32615) and natriuretic peptide receptor C blockade [by C-ANP-(4-23)] on the clearance and bioactivity of atrial (ANP) and brain (BNP) natriuretic peptides was investigated in eight sheep with heart failure. SCH-32615 and C-ANP-(4-23) administered separately induced significant and proportionate dose-dependent rises in plasma ANP, BNP, and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels. Associated with these changes were reductions in arterial pressure, left atrial pressure, and peripheral resistance and increases in cardiac output, urine volume, sodium excretion, and creatinine clearance. SCH-32615 induced greater diuresis and natriuresis than C-ANP-(4-23). Combined administration of SCH-32615 and C-ANP-(4-23) induced greater than additive rises in plasma ANP, BNP, and cGMP concentrations, with enhanced hemodynamic effects, diuresis, and natriuresis and reduced plasma aldosterone levels. In conclusion, we find that the enzymatic and receptor clearance pathways contribute equally to the metabolism of endogenous ANP and BNP in sheep with heart failure. Combined inhibition of both degradative pathways was associated with enhanced hormonal, hemodynamic, and renal effects and may have greater potential therapeutic value than either agent separately.
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PMID:Clearance receptors and endopeptidase: equal role in natriuretic peptide metabolism in heart failure. 937 74

1.BNP and ANP are important research indices of severity of heart failure. However, uncertainty regarding the stability of these peptides at room temperature has limited their use to assess cardiac function in routine clinical practice. 2. We assessed the stability of BNP and ANP in blood samples left for 2 h or 2 days at room temperature compared with levels in blood processed immediately (initial). These times were chosen to reflect possible times for samples to be processed in a hospital outpatient clinic (2 h) or a blood sample posted to a laboratory from general practice (2 days). Samples were obtained from eight heart transplant recipients. Blood was separated and plasma stored immediately after collection (initial) and after 2 h or 2 days at room temperature respectively. 3. Initial plasma BNP and ANP values measured by radioimmunoassay after Sep-Pak extraction were 38.9+/-11.1(S.E.M.) pg/ml and 113.6+/-28.1 pg/ml, respectively. After 2 h at room temperature there was no significant fall in either peptide level (35.5+/-9.9 pg/ml, BNP; 104. 9+/-30.6 pg/ml, ANP). However, after 2 days at room temperature there was a significant fall in ANP to 38.1+/-12.6 pg/ml (P<0.005 versus initial level). In contrast, there was no significant fall in BNP after 2 days (32.0+/-8.4 pg/ml). After 2 days at room temperature only 30.4+/-4.3% of the ANP remained, but 86.0+/-5.0% of BNP compared with the initial ANP and BNP measurements. 4. Our study clearly showed that ANP is stable for 2 h and thus could be useful as a screening test for heart disease in hospital. In contrast, BNP remained stable for 2 days. Measuring BNP may thus be practical as a test of heart function both for routine use in hospital and by general practitioners in the community.
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PMID:Prolonged stability of brain natriuretic peptide: importance for non-invasive assessment of cardiac function in clinical practice. 973 Aug 41

The natriuretic peptide (NP) system is one of the most important systems regulating blood pressure and body-fluid homeostasis. The biological activities of the system are determined by the NPs and the receptors, which are comprised of three subtypes: NP-AR and NP-BR related to biological activities and NP-CR related to the clearance of NP. We focused our studies on the receptor subtypes. In hypertensive rats (SHR-SP/Izm, DOCA/salt), NP-AR was upregulated and NP-CR was downregulated. The ACE inhibitor derapril, but not the Ca2+ blocker manidipine, normalized the upregulated NP-AR, but the effect was completely abolished by the bradykinin beta 2-receptor antagonist, suggesting that bradykinin regulates the vascular NP-AR. The AT1 antagonist TCV-116, but not manidipine, reversed the downregulated NP-CR. Ang II decreased NP-CR in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. These results suggest that upregulation of NP-AR and downregulation of NP-CR with the increased plasma NPs counteract hypertension by enhancing the action of NP. A beta-blocker (carvedilol) potentiated the hypotensive action of NPs by increasing plasma NPs and enhancing the vascular response to NPs via downregulation of the vascular and lung NP-CR. The newly found mode of actions could be related to its anti-heart failure effect. In genetically hyperglycemic Wistar fatty rats, vascular NP-BR and NP-AR were upregulated. Since plasma ANP and vascular CNP were significantly increased, the local CNP/NP-BR system as well as the systemic ANP/NP-AR system may play an important role in counteracting vascular remodeling in diabetes mellitus. All these observations provide in vivo evidence for the pathophysiological significance of the receptor subtype of the NPs.
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PMID:[Pathophysiological significance of the natriuretic peptide system: receptor subtype as another key factor]. 979 68


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