Abstract des Autors

We examined the changes in the plasma concentrations of ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and ADH (antidiuretic hormone) in thirteen scuba divers during a maximally exhausting bicycle spiroergometry and a standardized dive. The laboratory test consisted of a clinical and a spirometric test, in which the probands were subjected to a maximal load. In a field test the scuba divers (n=13) made a twenty-minute-dive in a depth of 20 meters. Immediately before and after the load blood was drawn from an antecubital vein. The spiroergometry led to a significant increase of ANP (p<0.05) and ADH (p<0.01). Diving was associated with a highly significant increase in the plasma concentrations of ANP (p<0.001), whereas a very significant (p<0.01) decrease in the level of ADH was observed after the diving load. The distinct increase in the plasma concentrations of both hormones after the spirometry can be attributed to the increased load on the circulation with an increased cardial load (ANP ^) and the loss of perspiration associated with a plasma hyperosmolality (ADH ^). During the dive an intensification of the central blood volume with an increase of the atrial dilatation because of the immersion could be observed. The result of the consecutive atrial dilatation is an increased production of ANP and a decreased release of ADH. Verf.-Referat