Role of endogenous atrial natriuretic peptide on systemic and renal hemodynamics in heart failure rats

Enhanced levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) do not directly maintain systemic hemodynamics, but make up for heart failure (HF) in terms of sodium and water retention through diuresis and natriuresis by attenuation of renal tubular absorption and not by deletion of renal resistance vessels. The ANP-receptor antagonist HS lowers urinary flow rate and urinary excretion of sodium in rats with heart failure, along with a drop in urinary and plasma levels.