Does experimental congestive heart failure increase aldosterone secretion in dogs?
In a canine model of congestive heart failure, increased aldosterone secretion is not necessary for initial salt and water retention.
Adrenal vein blood levels of aldosterone were measured in six dogs with experimental congestive heart failure and compared with secretion rates in 19 normal and 2 sham-operated animals. No significant differences in adrenal aldosterone secretion were found. Aldosterone was not detected by chromatography or bioassay in pooled 3-day urine samples from three dogs before or after heart failure was present. The results suggest that in dogs with congestive heart failure (1) increased secretion of aldosterone is not necessary for the initial salt and water retention, and (2) heart failure can exist in the presence of normal secretory rates of aldosterone as determined by analysis of adrenal vein blood.
Driscol et al. (Mon,) studied this question.