Serum-growth hormone and free-fatty-acids levels following angiocardiography in children.

Blood-free-fatty acids (F.F.A.) and growth-hormone levels were determined in 9 children subjected to cardiac catheterization and angiography. A significant rise of growth-hormone level was recorded immediately after angiocardiography, followed by a marked increase of F.F.A. levels 2--4 hours after termination of the catheterization. These results may indicate that the high levels of F.F.A. sustained after cardiac catheterization and angiography are probably due to the increase of growth -hormone secretion during the procedure.