The effect of furosemide stimulation on renin secretion and its application in examining activity of the renin-angiotensin system.

The response of plasma renin concentration [PRC] to Furosemide administration and orthostasis stimulation was studied in 9 healthy volunteers and in 30 patients with essential hypertension. The results indicate that Furosemide is unfit for stimulation of renin secretion owing to a relatively high frequency of paradoxical PRC decreases observed both in hypertensives and normotensives. On the other hand, orthostasis stimulation is a manoeuvre suitable also for screening of low renin hypertension.