[Reninemia and its clinical value].

After examining the most recent findings on the physiopathology of the renin-angiotensin system, techniques are analysed for the determination of renin activity (PRA). These are still inadequate and imprecise, notwithstanding radioimmunological techniques and stress is laid on the importance of their standardisation. Analysis of the various forms of arterial hypertension shows that PRA measurement has clinical value only: 1) in nephrovascular hypertension; 2) in primary hyper-reninism; 3) in primary hypercorticosuprarenalism; 4) to back up an indication for bilateral nephrectomy in terminal nephropathies with uncontrollable pressure value. At the present time, however, it would appear that PRA does not have any clinical utility for the study of essential hypertension.