Hyperkalemia due to selective hypoaldosteronism.

Hyperkalemia secondary to hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism with a normal glucocorticoid function was diagnosed in a 47-year-old man with moderate renal insufficiency. Mineralocorticoid administration corrected the hyperkalemia. A probable explanation for hyporeninemia and hypoaldosteronism in this syndrome is that the primary defect is an inability to release renin and the resultant angiotensin deficiency leads to an aldosterone deficiency.