Atrial natriuretic polypeptide in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture. Correlation to hyponatremia.

Measurement of plasma alpha-humanANP (ANP) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in 28 cases with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was carried out, and then compared with control subjects who were infused with hypertonic saline. In cases with hyponatremia (HN), statistical correlation between control subjects and cases without HN was not evident with regards to ANP and plasma osmolality (Posm), excreted fraction of filtrated sodium (FENa) and urinary Na/K. Furthermore, they secreted supernumerarilly in spite of HN. Cases with HN were further subdivided into two groups, they were those cases with negative total sodium balance at the time of appearance of HN, and those cases without total negative sodium balance. In the former, central venous pressure had a tendency to decrease, however, secretion of ANP and ADH was statistically not different in either groups. It appears that ANP regulated urinary sodium excretion against an osmotic or sodium load acts as a maintenance of homeostasis as an osmotic regulator. Cases with HN in which secretion of ADH was physiological, ANP secreted supernumerarilly in spite of hypoosmonaemia and hypovolaemia. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiological processes leading to hyponatremia in cases with cerebral disorders, and may help to improve the treatment possibilities.