Significance of High Plasma Renin Activity in Patients on Maintenance Haemodialysis Therapy

• Published in: British Medical Journal Vol. 2; no. 5869; pp. 741 - 743
• Main Authors: Craswell, P. W., Hird, V. M., Baillod, R. A., Varghese, Z., Moorhead, J. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 30.06.1973; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Angiotensin II; Blood plasma; Blood Pressure; Child; Dialysis; Diastolic blood pressure; Electrocardiography; Female; Glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - blood; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome; Humans; Kidneys; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy; Nephritis - blood; Papers and Originals; Potassium; Potassium - blood; Pyelonephritis; Pyelonephritis - blood; Radioimmunoassay; Renal Dialysis; Renin - blood; Sodium; Sodium - blood
• ISSN: 0007-1447; 1468-5833
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.5869.741

Blood pressure and plasma renin activity were remeasured after an interval of 8 to 17 months in 16 patients on maintenance haemodialysis previously found to have high renin activity. Continuing intermittent haemodialysis changed the plasma renin activity and blood pressure but no consistent pattern was seen. This confirmed our previous finding that adequate dialysis can control blood pressure in the presence of high renin activity. We therefore conclude that bilateral nephrectomy should be approached with renewed caution.