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Volume 294:1137-1143 May 20, 1976 Number 21 Next

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Abstract

We compared methods of classifying hypertension according to plasma renin activity in 54 patients with essential hypertension and examined the validity of using these classifications to choose between two hypotensive drugs. A prospective, double-blind crossover study was used. Normal values for plasma renin activity were established from 111 control subjects. Plasma renin activity was related to race and inversely to age in hypertensive patients (P less than 0.05) but not in normal subjects. Three methods of classification correlated well but did not identify exactly the same renin-suppressed patients. Chlorthalidone produced a greater reduction in blood pressure and restored blood pressure to normal in a larger percentage of patients in both low-renin (59 per cent) and normal-renin (32 per cent) subgroups than propranolol (12 and 16 per cent). Renin determinations are of limited benefit in the choice of therapy for most patients with essential hypertension.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Lijnen, P.J., Amery, A.K., Fagard, R.H., Reybrouck, T.M. (1978). Relative Significance of Plasma Renin Activity and Concentration in Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Conditions. ANGIOLOGY 29: 354-366  
• Mroczek, W. J. (1978). Clinical Relevance of Plasma Renin Activity in Hypertensive Patients. ANGIOLOGY 29: 296-302