The effect of renal transplantation on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide.

The changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were studied in four adult patients after cadaveric renal transplantation. In three patients who achieved good renal function, the correction of volume overload, as reflected by reduction in weight and right atrial pressure, was associated with a steady fall in plasma ANP and a parallel decrease in both fractional excretion of sodium and plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The fourth patient, with severe acute rejection, developed severe peripheral oedema, and fractional sodium excretion remained low despite high values of ANP.