Hypersecretion of Renin in Dogs with a Chronic Aortic-Caval Fistula and High-Output Heart Failure

SummaryThe rate of renin secretion was measured in six dogs with large aortic—caval fistulas and evidence of cardiac failure. At the time of the study, the dogs showed a decrease in mean femoral arterial pressure, increased mean right atrial pressure, marked sodium retention, edema and ascites. Renin secretion was measured by determining renal blood flow with an electromagnetic flowmeter and the renal venous–arterial difference in plasma renin activity. Renin secretion was elevated to 1978 ng angiotensin/min in the six dogs with an aortic—caval fistula and cardiac failure in comparison with a value of 607 ng angiotensin/min for seven normal dogs studied similarly (p < 0.01).