[Renin activity and plasma aldosterone level after sudden death from alcoholic intoxication]

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone concentration (PAC) were determined in early (up to 6 hours) autopsy material of 35 cases of sudden death (men aged 22-35). In half of cases alcohol was present in the blood. The same parameters were evaluated in 35 living men: 17 donors and 18 subjects with alcoholic intoxication. The presence of alcohol in the blood both in cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and in subjects with alcoholic intoxication was shown to result in a marked increase in PRA and PAC. Statistic analysis revealed a positive correlation between PRA and PAC in SCD in the presence of alcoholic intoxication, which is not observed when the latter is absent. These results suggest that aldosterone concentration in SCD may be increased due to some stimulating factors other than alcohol. Calcium balance disturbances could be one of them.