atrial-natriuretic-factor and Pleural-Effusion--Malignant

To discuss the value of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in differentiating benign and malignant pleural effusion.. Direct radioimmunoassay was used to detect ANP of pleural effusion and serum in 30 tuberculous and 26 cancerous pleural effusion patients.. The ANP in tuberculous and cancerous pleural effusion were (75 +/- 9) ng/L, (157 +/- 45) ng/L respectively, and significant difference was found (P < 0.001). The ANP of tuberculous pleural effusion was apparently lower [(75 +/- 9) ng/L] than serum [(170 +/- 37) ng/L], and significant difference was also found (P < 0.001). The ratio of ANP of pleural effusion to that of serum were 0.47 +/- 0.17, 0.99 +/- 0.46 respectively in tuberculous and cancerous pleural effusion patients. The sensitivity of ANP was 81% and specificity 100% in diagnosing malignant pleural effusion.. Detecting ANP of pleural effusion is one of important methods for differentiating benign and malignant pleural effusion.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pleural Effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant