Hemodynamic and volume characteristics, and peripheral plasma renin activity in Takayasu's arteritis

Hemodynamic and volume characteristics, and/or peripheral plasma renin activity were investigated in 19 patients with Takayasu's arteritis who included 8 hypertensive patients with renal arterial disease and 11 normotensive patients. In hypertensive patients, mean arterial pressure had an inverse correlation with cardiac index, a direct correlation with total peripheral resistance index and no correlation with blood volume. These hemodynamic and volume characteristics were different from those of hypertension with renal arterial disease previously reported. High plasma renin activity was presented in not only hypertensive patients with renal arterial disease but normotensive patients. The investigation of high plasma renin activity in Takayasu's arteritis must be also directed to the mechanism except renal arterial lesions.