Abstract
The effects of human atrial natriuretic peptide (HANP, carperitide) were studied in 21 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. The patients were randomized to receive either no carperitide treatment (control group, n=10) or carperitide (HANP group, n=11). Their hemodynamic status, diuresis and renal function were assessed perioperatively. The HANP group received continuous intravenous infusion of carperitide for 3 hours at a rate of 0.05μg/kg/min 3 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. The HANP group had significantly lower systemic vascular resistance and less temperature difference between the rectum and the sole, and significantly greater cardiac index compared with those in the control group during infusion of carperitide, suggesting the improvement of cardiac performance by reducing afterload. The HANP group also had greater urinary output during the administration of carperitide, suggesting the significant diuretic effect of the regimen. The results indicated that the administration of carperitide may be a viable alternative strategy for the management of patients with postoperative heart failure. However, since transient oliguria was observed in 2 hypovolemic patients after the discontinuation of carperitide, careful monitoring is required during and after the infusion of the regimen in such patients.
