[Clinical importance of determining plasma renin activity in chronic circulatory failure]

Plasma renin activity (PRA) under basal conditions was determined in 64 patients with circulatory failure of various etiology by the radioimmunoassay. PRA in 50 patients was normal. Among 33 patients with severe circulatory failure, PRA was normal in 19 patients (Group 1) and high in 14 (Group 2). The patients of the two groups did not differ in sex, age and stage of circulatory failure. However, in the first group, a combined treatment with cardiac glycosides, diuretics and peripheral vasodilators proved to be efficacious in 18 out of 19 patients while in the second group 7 out of 14 patients died in spite of the therapy.