The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in decompensated cirrhosis: its activity in relation to sodium balance

Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma renin concentration (PRC), plasma angiotensin II concentration (AII), plasma and urinary aldosterone (PA, UA) and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) were measured in 51 normal controls, 16 patients with decompensated cirrhosis (i.e. ascites and/or oedema present) in sodium equilibrium (Group 1) and 13 patients with decompensated cirrhosis in a phase of active sodium retention (Group 2). In Group 1 the mean supine and erect values, although lower, were not significantly different from controls. In Group 2 the mean values were significantly elevated, but several individual values were within the normal range; there were significant direct relationships between plasma renin activity and plasma renin concentration (r = 0.85, p less than 0.001 erect), plasma renin concentration and plasma angiotensin II concentration (r = 0.86, p less than 0.001 erect), and plasma angiotensin II concentration and plasma aldosterone (r = 0.70, p less than 0.01 erect). In Group 2 there was an inverse correlation between urinary sodium excretion and both urinary aldosterone (r = -0.50) and erect plasma aldosterone (r = -0.36) but, perhaps because of the narrow range of sodium excretion rates, significance was not reached. The normal values in Group 1 indicate that hyperaldosteronism is not essential for the maintenance of established ascites, but do not exclude a role for aldosterone in the control of sodium excretion if it is accepted that renal tubular sensitivity to aldosterone is increased in these patients. In Group 2, the raised mean plasma and urinary aldosterone levels and the trend towards an inverse relationship with urinary sodium excretion suggests a role for aldosterone in the active retention of sodium. It appears that stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system is the major factor in the elevation of plasma aldosterone; there was no relationship between plasma aldosterone and either plasma sodium or potassium levels. The mechanism of renin hypersecretion is unclear but this may represent part of a sympathetically mediated response in order to maintain blood pressure. The close relationship between plasma renin activity and plasma renin concentration indicates that the former is a valid measure of circulating renin levels in cirrhosis, despite low renin-substrate levels.