Background. While the effect of neurohormones is often studied in congestive heart failure, their role in aortic stenosis needs to be elucidated. Methods. 54 consecutive patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis without overt heart failure were studied at the age of 64.4±9.3 yrs with echocardiography, x-ray and catheterization. Levels of circulating atrial natriuretic factor endothelin-1, catecholamines, plasma renin activity, immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide were assessed, related to hemodynamic data and compared to those in 23 healthy controls, aged 59.2±12.8 yrs. Results. Patients had significantly higher plasma levels of endothelin-1 (z-value 0.64±1.19, p=0.019), atrial natriuretic factor (z-value 2.46±2.46, p<0.001) and dopamine (z-value 0.91±2.33, p=0.02). Levels of endothelin-1 and ANF positively correlated with mean (r=0.631, p<0.001) and wedged pulmonary artery pressures and with left atrial diameter index (r=0.602, p<0.001). Endothelin-1 levels correlated negatively with aortic valve area (r=-0.306, p=0.041). No correlation was found between neurohumoral plasma concentrations and left ventricular mass index. Conclusions. In patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis without overt heart failure, elevated plasmatic levels of endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic factor and dopamine were documented. The increase of ET-1 levels is related to pulmonary hypertension and severity of the disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy is not related to neurohormonal levels. Neither circulating system renin-angiotensin nor noradrenaline are activated in these patients.

        Key words: aortic stenosis, left ventricular hypertrophy, neurohormones, endothelin-1, pulmonary hypertension