[Modification of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cyclic GMP by hemofiltration and hemodialysis].

ANP and c-GMP concentrations in 7 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing regular hemofiltration (HF) were determined. After switching to hemodialysis (HD) under identical ultrafiltration and treatment time no significant difference of the ANP and c-GMP profiles was detected, suggesting that the type of treatment does not affect ANP and c-GMP plasma levels. In both procedures a continuous decrease of ANP and c-GMP was observed. Head down tilting to compensate hypotension during HD was immediately followed by an increase in ANP and c-GMP during ultrafiltration. An acute onset of tachyarrhythmia absoluta during HD was also accompanied by a rise in ANP plasma concentrations. This demonstrates that ANP secretion is not altered in patients with CRF. Since ANP plasma levels closely correlate with intravascular volume, periodic determination of this hormone in HD/HF patients may provide diagnostic information to detect volume overload.