Relationship between non-osmotic arginine vasopressin secretion and hemoglobin A1c levels in adult patients with congenital heart disease

Arginine vasopressin (AVP), which induces vasoconstriction and conserves solute–free water when released during high plasma osmolality, is secreted through 2 mechanisms: osmoregulation and baroregulation. This study aims to clarify the mechanisms and influencing factors for non-osmotic AVP secretion in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). AVP levels were measured in 74 adults with CHD. Non-osmotic AVP secretion was defined as excessive AVP secretion relative to the AVP level inferred from plasma osmolality. Accordingly, 10 patients (13.5%) demonstrated non-osmotic AVP secretion, with AVP levels higher than those in patients without non-osmotic AVP secretion (6.4 ± 3.1 vs. 1.6 ± 0.9 pg/ml; p < 0.0001). Non-osmotic AVP secretion was significantly correlated with diuretic use [odds ratio (OR) 7.227; confidence interval (CI) 1.743–29.962; p = 0.0006], HbA1c level (OR 11.812; CI 1.732–80.548; p = 0.012), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level (OR 1.007; CI 1.001–1.012; p = 0.022). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that there was a significant association between non-osmotic AVP secretion and HbA1c level (OR 9.958; 1.127–87.979; p = 0.0039), and a nearly significant relationship between non-osmotic AVP secretion and BNP (OR 1.006; CI 1.000–1.012; p = 0.056). In conclusion, this study showed that 13.5% of adult patients with CHD demonstrated non-osmotic AVP secretion, which could be correlated with heart failure and insulin resistance. The AVP system might be one of the mechanisms linking heart failure and the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults with CHD.