Purpose: This study was performed to elucidate the pathophysiological role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in acute lung injury.
Materials and methods: We sequentially measured plasma concentrations of immunoreactive BNP and ANP in 10 patients (mean age, 63 years (with acute lung injury and compared those with hemodynamic parameters and pulmonary functions.
Results: Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive BNP and ANP were markedly elevated at entry into the study. Plasma BNP concentrations during the early course (3 days) showed significant (P < .01) positive correlations with systemic vascular resistance index (r = .708) and pulmonary vascular resistance index (r = .573), but a negative correlation with cardiac index (r = .608). Plasma ANP concentrations showed a significant (P < .05) positive correlation with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = .398). Plasma BNP in 4 patients who died and 1 patient with acute renal failure remained elevated during the entire hospital length of stay (12 days).
Conclusion: These findings suggest that circulating BNP plays an important role in acute lung injury along with ANP as a compensatory mechanism for cardiac dysfunction accompanied by increased systemic vascular resistance index and pulmonary vascular resistance index. Circulating BNP may be a sensitive humoral marker for the degree of ventricular dysfunction associated with acute lung injury.