<正> Objective: To understand the role of urotensin Ⅱ （ U Ⅱ ） and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide （ PAMP）

a fragment of proadrenomedullin （ proADM ） possessing biological activity

in the pathophysiological process of congestive heart failure （CHF） by observing the variation of their plasma levels and exploring their interrelations. Methods: Plasma U Ⅱ and PAMP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 52 patients with CHF and 14 healthy subjects. Left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and the ratio of E/A were determined by echocardiography. Results: The plasma U Ⅱ level was significantly lower in patients with CHF than the healthy subjects （1.5±1.0 pg/ml vs 4. 3±1.2 pg/ml

P < 0.05）

while plasma PAMP level was significantly higher in the former group （30. 6±5. 8 pg/ml vs 21.0±6.6 pg/ml P < 0. 05 ）. The levels of U Ⅱ and PAMP were parallel with the severity of CHF

and significant correlation of plasma levels of U Ⅱ with LVEF （r=0.530

P=0.000） and the ratio of E/A (r=0.618

P = 0.