[Plasma renin activity in chronic adrenal gland insufficiency]

Renin plasma activity (RPA) was studied in 25 patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency and in 5--with arterial hypotension caused by factors other than adrenal insufficiency. In patients with chronic adrenal insufficiency RPA was found to be elevated: in 74% of patients left without substitution therapy, and in 52% - given substitution therapy; in the first case RPA averaged 6.5 +/- 3.20, and in the second - 4.30 +/- 1.76 ng/ml/h A1 (normal value - 1.6 +/- 0.4 ng/ml/h A1). In patients with arterial hypotension not due to adrenal insufficiency RPA was within the normal range averaging 1.61 +/- 0.18 ng/ml/h A1). Clinical significance of RPA determination in patients with arterial hypotension, and also the importance of RPA determination in cases of chronic adrenal insufficiency during substitution therapy is discussed.