Effects of intravenously administered human atrial natriuretic peptide on elevated blood pressure during surgery.

The effect of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) on blood pressure (Bp) was evaluated in 11 patients who had elevated systoric Bp of over 150 mmHg during surgery. A bolus injection of 50 microg or 100 microg of hANP decreased Bp with an immediate response by 27.6 +/- 3.1 mmHg (P < 0.001) or 40.7 +/- 4.2 mmHg (P < 0.001), respectively, accompanying with tremendously increased urine output. Heart rate and PaO2 were not altered. Thus, a intravenous bolus injection of hANP is an useful therapeutic tool for the treatment of acutely elevated Bp during anesthesia.