Diagnostic value of plasma renin activity and plasma angiotensin II in renovascular hypertension.

The plasma renin activity in both peripheral venous blood and the renal vein of the involved kidney showed high values. Angiotensin infusion elevated the urine volume and angiotensin excretion on the intact side, and the difference in urine volume and angiotensin excretion between the two sides was accentuated after angiotensin infusion. These findings are useful for the diagnosis of the stenotic side in renovascular hypertension. No difference in the prognosis of extirpation of the involved kidney and of vascular reconstruction of the stenotic artery was found for the treatment of renovascular hypertension. However, autotransplantation of the involved kidney was found to be more useful, since it allowed improvement of renal circulation, suppression of thrombosis formation, and the maintenance of kidney tissue.