ELECTROLYTE METABOLISM AND ALDOSTERONE SECRETION IN BENIGN AND MALIGNANT HYPERTENSION

Abstract

A study has been reported in which the adrenal secretion rate of aldosterone was measured by a precise isotope dilution technique in hypertensive vascular disease. The secretion rate of aldosterone was entirely normal in benign essential hypertension, and there was thus no indication that aldosterone participates in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. The values were also normal in 2 cases of unilateral renal disease. However, marked hypersecretion was demonstrated in 15 of 16 cases of malignant hypertension. These patients exhibited hypokalemic alkalosis, and the increased secretion of aldosterone could not be suppressed by Na administration. However, K administration further increased aldosterone secretion. The data raise the possibility that aldosterone secretion could play a causal role in malignant hypertension.