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The factors that might activate the renin-angiotensin system in treated heart failure were explored. Serum Na+ correlated inversely with plasma renin activity. The degree of congestive heart failure measured by right atrial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance did not correlate with plasma renin activity. Similarly, renal function as measured by blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinary Na+ excretion did not correlate with plasma renin activity. In a prospectively screened group, seven patients with congestive heart failure who were found to be hyponatraemic had plasma renin activities greater than 15 ng/ml per h. Serial determinations in one patient showed plasma renin activity to vary inversely with the serum Na+. It is concluded that serum sodium can be used to identify those patients with congestive heart failure who have a high plasma renin activity. The value of identifying these high renin heart failure patients was seen in their response in four cases to specific therapy with a converting enzyme inhibitor.
Levine et al. (Mon,) studied this question.