[Variations in blood aldosterone, plasma renin activity and plasma levels of converting enzyme during bicarbonate dialysis in chronic kidney failure].

The changes of plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity were studied in 12 patients with chronic renal failure during haemodialysis using a bath containing 30 mEq of bicarbonate and 1.5 mEq of potassium. There is no noticeable relationship between the change in plasma aldosterone and the change of the factors increasing or decreasing its secretion. However, hypokalemia causes regularly a decrease in plasma aldosterone.