Total Urinary Catechol Excretion in Cardiovascular and Other Clinical Conditions

Abstract

Although colorimetry (method of Shaw) permits neither a differentiation of epinephrine and norepinephrine nor their separation from other catechols, it reveals the total urinary catechol excretion, including those portions which were inactivated in the body. No significant abnormalities were found in arterial hypertension, in congestive heart failure, after myocardial infarction and during emotional stress. Thoracolumbar sympathectomy depressed total catechol excretion temporarily. In renal uremia, the regularly demonstrable elevation of the blood catechols was paralleled by a diminution of the conjugated catechols in the urine. It appears to be due to renal retention.