Propranolol effects in long-term hemodialysis patients with renin-dependent hypertension.

We evaluated propranolol effects on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and erythrocyte production in nine chronically hemodialyzed and four nondialyzed patients with hypertension and high plasma renin concentrations. Propranolol, at a maximum daily dose of 240 mg, controlled blood pressure in 12 of the 13 patients. During propranolol treatment of dialyzed patients, mean blood pressure fell from 133 +/- 1 to 113 +/- 4 mm Hg (P less than 0.005) and plasma renin activity from 3093 +/- 423 to 689 +/- 218 ng/dl 3h (P less than 0.001). Similar results were obtained in nondialyzed patients. In both groups hematocrit and red cell mass were unchanged, although ferrokinetic measurements suggested a decrease in erythropoiesis. Thus propranolol alone reduces blood pressure and renin activity in chronically dialyzed patients with hypertension and high renin concentrations. No hematologic complications or other side effects were observed. These findings suggest that propranolol may be an effective alternative to bilateral nephrectomy in the control of renin-dependent hypertension in selected patients.