Effect of beta-adrenergic blockade on plasma-renin activity and intractable hypertension in patients receiving regular dialysis treatment.

The effect of propranolol has been studied in two patients with chronic renal failure and hypertension which remained refractory despite the removal of excess sodium and water by dialysis. Measurements of plasma-renin, exchangeable sodium, and blood-volume demonstrated that in both patients hypertension was due to excess renin. The administration of propranolol was followed by a rapid fall in blood-pressure to normal, thereby obviating the need for bilateral nephrectomy. In both patients the fall in blood-pressure was accompanied by a striking fall in plasma-renin, and in one there was a highly significant association between plasma-renin activity and mean arterial pressure.