[Captopril-stimulated plasma renin activity in the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension].

In 67 patients thought to have renovascular hypertension, plasma renin activity was measured in both renal veins and peripherally (common femoral v.) before and after administration of 25 mg captopril. Other antihypertensive medication, except diuretics and ACE inhibitors, had been discontinued. The renin ratio, renin secretion indices before and after ACE inhibition, as well as the percentage rise in peripheral plasma renin activity, after captopril were calculated from the measured data. The diagnostic and prognostic value of the various calculation models were compared on the basis of blood pressure changes in 29 patients after intervention (28 operations, one percutaneous transluminal angioplasty). Of the various calculations the renin ratio after ACE stimulation--measuring plasma renin activity separately for each side--was of the greatest value in discriminating for renovascular hypertension (sensitivity 89%, specificity 100%). Comparable results in the discrimination for renovascular hypertension were achieved by determining the rise in peripheral plasma renin activity after captopril. This method is, therefore, a simple, noninvasive test for diagnosing renovascular hypertension with great accuracy even while existing medication is being continued.