Identifying Renin Participation in Hypertensive Patients

Theoretically, it might be possible to determine whether or not excessive renin activity is involved in the pathogenesis of human hypertension by ascertaining whether a) plasma renin activity (PRA) is elevated or b) inhibition of renin release or angiotensin II (AII) formation or antagonism of the action of AII overcomes the hypertension. The reliability of these procedures will be briefly examined in the purest clinical form of angiotensin-mediated hypertension, viz., that resulting from renovascular stenosis.