Test for Role of Angiotensin in Hypertension

Abstract

To the Editor: The advantage of localizing renin-producing tissues before operation was documented by Schambelan et al. (N Engl J Med 290:1153–1157, 1974), and reinforced by Vaughan in his editorial (290:1195–1196). For this purpose one must determine renal-vein renin. How does one select the mere handful of the millions of hypertensive patients who are to undergo this long and costly procedure? We have found that the criteria used are variable and arbitrary.The only reason for determining plasma renin activity, whether from peripheral or renal veins, is to detect the patient with a surgically remediable lesion. Elevated blood pressure (in . . .