Atrial Natriuretic Factor at High Altitude Pulmonary Hypertension

To investigate the physiological role of atrial natriuretic factor in highlanders with pulmonary hypertension, we studied 61 residents of Tien-Shan living at 2040-2800 m above sea level. According to the initial pulmonary arterial pressure levels the subjects were divided into 2 groups; Group 1 with initial normal pulmonary pressures and Group 2 with initially high pulmonary pressures at Highlanders of 2nd group with high pulmonary pressure the concentration of atrial natriuretic factor in plasma turmed out to be approximately twice higher, than at highlanders of 1st group with normal pulmonary pressure. Noteworthy in our data are the higher renin levels in subjects of 2nd group with normal initial plasma aldosterone concentrations. This could suggest dissociation of interaction in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.