STUDIES ON HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Since the results of previous investigations¹ did not support the humoral origin of essential hypertension, it was concluded^1c that "Final proof awaits conclusive demonstration of the presence or absence of angiotonin in increased amounts in the blood of patients with essential hypertension." This report deals with a study of whether vasoconstrictor substances are present in increased amounts in the blood of patients with hypertension. The conclusion has been sought through a biologic assay of vasoconstrictor substances in the blood of patients with normal blood pressures, the blood of hypertensive patients and the blood of patients made transiently hypertensive by intravenous injections of angiotonin. There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the presence of pressor compounds in the blood of hypertensive patients or in the blood of animals made hypertensive by renal ischemia. Danzer, Brody and Miles² reported that the blood of patients with hypertension contained a pressor