The relationship between atrial pressure, atrial dimensions and atrial natriuretic factor during pacing tachycardia in dogs
Riddervold, F.; Smiseth, O.A.; Bjørnerheim, R.; Hall, C.; Risøe, C.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 35(8): 731-735
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5172 PMID: 1837197 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1991.tb03380.x
Accession: 007928254
Acute supraventricular tachycardia is known to increase the plasma level of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The purpose of these experiments was to investigate if such an increase in plasma-ANF could be ascribed to changes in atrial pressure and atrial dimensions. Eight anaesthetized dogs were instrumented with atrial pressure catheters and sonomicrometers to measure left and right auricular and atrial free wall dimensions. An acute increase in atrial rate from 150 to 200 min-1 for 10 min did not change plasma-ANF or atrial haemodynamic variables. A further increase in atrial rate to 250 or 300 min-1 increased right and left atrial intracavitary pressures (P < 0.01), both auricular diameters and right atrial free wall segment length (P < 0.05). Left atrial free wall segment length remained unchanged. Plasma-ANF increased in all dogs (P < 0.01). The change in plasm-ANF correlated well with changes in atrial pressures as well as with changes in atrial dimensions. These results support the hypothesis that release of ANF during acute atrial tachycardia may in part be attributed to atrial dilatation.