Abstract
We measured plasma concentrations of norepinephrine, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) and beta-adrenoceptor density (Bmax) and affinity (Kd) of lymphocytes in patients with congestive heart failure and correlated these parameters with symptoms and hemodynamic indices. Plasma concentration of norepinephrine, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and ANP significantly increased in patients with congestive heart failure. Plasma concentrations of norepinephrine were related to the severity of the heart failure, plasma cyclic AMP concentrations, and pulmonary artery pressures. Cyclic AMP concentrations fell rapidly after treatment of acute left ventricular failure. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were stimulated by isoproterenol, and cyclic AMP level in lymphocytes was assayed. In normal subjects the generation of cyclic AMP after stimulation decreased with age. The response of lymphocytes in patients of NYHA classes III and IV was significantly lower than in the normal age-matched controls. A significant correlation between plasma norepinephrine concentration and increase of lymphocyte cyclic AMP was demonstrated. From these results it was suggested that beta-adrenergic receptors in congestive heart failure were desensitized. Beta receptor numbers of lymphocytes significantly decreased in NYHA class III and IV, but did not decrease in class I and II. There was no significant difference in Kd associated with congestive heart failure. Plasma concentrations of cyclic GMP also depended on the severity of heart failure and the pulmonary artery pressure, and decreased sharply with treatment, although remaining at a high value, A significant correlation between the cyclic GMP and ANP concentration was found in patients with congestive heart failure. The concentration of ANP significantly correlated with pulmonary wedge pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure and inversely correlated with cardiac index and ventricular ejection fraction. Thus, beta-adrenoceptors in congestive heart failure are down-regulated and the measurement of Bmax in lymphocytes is a useful index for the management of patients with congestive heart failure. Plasma concentration of norepinephrine, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, and ANP can be used as objective indices of severity of congestive heart failure.
