In 10 patients with uncomplicated anterior acute myocardial infarction, within 24 hours after onset, heart rate, plasma renin activity, and the low- to high-frequency power ratio increased and high-frequency power decreased during nitroglycerin infusion; however, both heart rate and plasma renin activity did not change, the low- to high-frequency power ratio decreased, and high-frequency power increased during atrial natriuretic peptide infusion. Atrial natriuretic peptide seems to be more beneficial in its effect on autonomic nervous activity, plasma renin activity, and myocardial oxygen consumption than nitroglycerin for the treatment of anterior acute myocardial infarction.