SYMPATHO-ADRENAL SYSTEM IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION PATIENTS: ACTIVITY ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL VALUE

Abstract

The study was focused on assessing sympatho-adrenal system (SAS) activity in patients with arterial hypertension and included 454 hypertensive individuals at high risk. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured by radio-immune method. Adrenalin and noradrenalin concentration in 24-hour urine was measured by fluorometry. SAS increase was associated with increased PRA and decreased PAC or PAC/PRA ratio. On the contrary, SAS reduction was linked to decreased PRA and elevated PAC or PAC/PRA ratio. Heart rate at rest electrocardiography correlated with 24-hour urine excretion of catecholamines.

Keywords

• catecholamines
• plasma renin activity
• aldosterone