Typology of Na+ transport abnormalities in erythrocytes from essential hypertensive patients. A first step towards the diagnosis and specific treatment of different forms of primary hypertension.

Over the last 5 years, several authors have measured apparent affinities and maximal translocation rates of the different erythrocyte Na+ transport systems in essential hypertensive patients. These kinetic studies have clearly shown that no unique red cell Na+ transport defect characterizes the whole population of essential hypertensive patients. Conversely, several complex patterns of erythrocyte Na+ transport abnormalities may be present in different subsets of essential hypertensive patients. These kinetic studies are now providing a more profound biochemical insight into the molecular heterogeneity of primary hypertension. In particular, they may permit the diagnosis and specific treatment of different forms of primary hypertension in the next decade.