Minerva medica
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In normal subjects increasing atmospheres of absolute pressure (ATA) on the cardiopulmonary system, in a hyperbaric chamber, results in a marked diuresis and an increase of circulating concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The present investigation was designed to determine the effect of ATA in a group of 5 sodium-retaining cirrhotic patients on hydro-saline balance, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and ANP. After seven days on a 10 mEq sodium intake, each patient was studied on both a control and experimental (4-hour stay at 2-ATA in hyperbaric chamber) day. ⋯ The increasing ATA lacked to induce both diuresis, natriuresis and increase in ANP plasma concentration. In these patients baseline, pre-hyperbaric, mean levels of PRA, aldosterone and ANP were 15.5 +/- 11.5 ng/ml/h, 808.4 +/- 360 pg/ml, 86 +/- 10.1 pg/ml, respectively, and were significantly elevated compared with normal range for control subjects without sodium restriction. In conclusion, increasing pressure at 2-ATA, in a hyperbaric chamber is unable to elicit both diuresis and natriuresis as well as modification on ANP and renin-angiotensin-aldo-sterone system in sodium-retaining cirrhotic patients.