High and low sodium acetate haemodialysis and ultrafiltration. II. Comparison of plasma renin activity (PRA), catecholamine levels (CA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC).

CA levels, PRA, PAC responses to low and high sodium dialysates in haemodialysed patients were investigated. Increased levels of dopamine (DA), adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA) were found during dialysis and ultrafiltration with high sodium dialysate (148 mEq/l), and significantly higher PRA with low sodium dialysate (131 mEq/l). PAC slightly but significantly decreased during dialysis with low sodium dialysate and significantly increased during ultrafiltration. The present results suggest that sodium dialysate concentration has a significant influence on the function of the autonomic system, PRA and PAC in haemodialysed patients.