Der Anaesthesist
-
On the subject of natriuretic peptides there is a great deal of controversy, and intensive research efforts have been made studying their effects on electrolyte homeostasis. In the early 1980s, a peptide that caused diuresis, natriuresis, and had a relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscle was discovered independently by several groups. This was the breakthrough for the identification of natriuretic peptides, followed by the characterisation of the amino-acid sequences of several species. ⋯ These results were encouraging for the use of URO in clinical trials as a tool to prevent acute renal failure (ARF) in patients following heart transplantation and for treatment of incipient ARF in patients following liver transplantation. Summarising the results of these two studies, URO represents a new approach for not only prevention, but also for treatment of ARF following organ transplantation. This opens up new possibilities for the treatment of ARF of other origins in intensive care medicine.