The hemodynamic and metabolic effects of long-term (5 day) infusion of human atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were examined in conscious chronically instrumented sheep. Infusion of ANF at 20 micrograms/h, a rate below the threshold for an acute natriuretic effect, decreased blood pressure by 9 +/- 1 mmHg on day 5, associated with a fall in calculated total peripheral resistance. On day 1, ANF reduced cardiac output, stroke volume, and blood volume, effects that were associated with an increase in heart rate and calculated total peripheral resistance and a small decrease in blood pressure. On days 4 and 5 there was a small increase in urine volume and sodium excretion. On day 5 an increase in water intake and body weight was observed. No change was seen in plasma concentrations of renin, arginine vasopressin, glucose, adrenocorticotropic hormone, or protein. This study suggests that the short-term hypotensive effect of ANF results from a reduction in cardiac output associated with a fall in both stroke volume and effective blood volume. However, after 5 days of infusion, ANF lowers blood pressure via a reduction in total peripheral resistance.
