Hypertension associated with hyperparathyroidism is not responsive to angiotensin blockade

Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are frequently hypertensive. Studies were performed to determine whether the hypertension in this disorder could be corrected by saralasin infusion. Five patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and one patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism were salt depleted before saralasin testing by the administration of 1 mg/kg furosemide at 1700 h on the evening before testing. Blood pressure was measured every 2 min by an automatic recording device. Saralasin was given as a continuous iv infusion of 1, 3, 6, and 10 micrograms/kg . min for 30 min. Blood for measurement of PRA was drawn 4 min before, immediately before, and 4, 8, 12, 16, 22, 30, 60, and 90 min after the infusion was begun. Saralasin did not reduce blood pressure in these patients. The mean postsaralasin blood pressure (12--20 min after the start of the infusion) was 155/102 mm Hg compared to the control blood pressure of 156/101 mm Hg (blood pressure at -4 and 0 min). The inability of saralasin to effect a vasodepressor response was unexpected, since the mean PRA before saralasin infusion was elevated at 1895 ng/dl . 3 h (normal range, 409--818 ng/dl . 3 hr; 95% confidence limits). These studies suggest that the hypertension associated with hyperparathyroidism is not renin dependent.