[Neuroendocrine changes in chronic cardiac insufficiency].

Throughout the course of chronic congestive heart failure cardiac and peripheral compensatory mechanisms are at play, most of them under the influence of the neuroendocrine system. The reserves of heart rate and contractility are regulated essentially by the noradrenergic system (NAS), but this mechanism is partial and transient owing to the gradual decrease in the density and sensitivity of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors induced by overstimulation. Adaptation of the heart to exercise may be reduced. This escape phenomenon is also observed with almost all cardiotonic drugs which interfere with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), in contrast with the paradoxically favourable effects of beta-blockers in small doses or of drugs that are both agonists and antagonists of beta-adrenergic receptors. The mechanisms which contribute to the induction of left ventricular hypertrophy are imperfectly known. The noradrenergic system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are probably not the only ones involved. The setting in action of Frank-Sterling heterometric regulation, at first during exercise then permanently, requires an increase in filling pressure obtained by venous constriction (predominantly controlled by the NAS) and, mostly, by an increase in circulating blood volume. NAS and RAAS intervene in the kidneys to produce water-and-salt retention.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)