RESUMO
Objective:Our aim was to study the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and pulmonary perfusion imaging in determining of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Methods: We measured ANP levels by using radioimmunoassay after making various types of PAH in rabbits. Catheterization and pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging were used in the control group. Results: When the pulmonary artery pressure increased slightly, the ANP levels were lower in PAH group than that of control group, but the difference was not significant (t=1, P>0.05). At the same time, pressure measured by catheterization did not change as the control group, but the ratio of back/abdomen radiopharmaceuticals distribution which was measured with pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging was significantly higher in PAH group than that of the control (t=2.5, P<0.05). The difference between the ANP levels when the pulmonary artery pressure increased medially and seriously was significant (t＝4.0 and 6.5, P＜0.05). The other two methods got the same result (P＜0.05). Results of three examining methods were positively related. Conclusion:The ANP levels can determine the degree of PAH, and it was simple. But it was not as sensitive as that of pulmonary perfusion tomographic imaging.