Increased left atrial pressure does not alter renal function in the conscious primate

To study the functional role of the atriorenal reflex in the nonhuman primate, we chronically instrumented six Macaca fascicularis with left atrial snares and left atrial and aortic catheters. After inserting a bladder catheter, we determined hemodynamic and renal responses of the conscious chair-restrained monkey to increased left atrial pressure. In 23 snare experiments, no significant changes in renal or cardiovascular function were observed even though left atrial pressure increased from 6.5 +/- 3.3 to 16.2 +/- 3.4 mmHg. The animals were subjected also to blood volume expansion with isoncotic isotonic dextran solutions (+15% of calculated blood volume). They responded normally to this volume stimulus. Conscious dogs prepared in the same manner as the nonhuman primate exhibited diuresis in response to elevations of atrial pressure. We conclude that left atrial stretch receptors are not importantly involved in volume homeostasis in the nonhuman primate.