[Cirrhotic ascites and the renin-angiotensin system]

Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone have been measured in 31 patients in different clinical stages of alcoholic cirrhosis. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone were within the normal range in patients with compensated cirrhosis and in patients with untreated cirrhosis and ascites. These results are not in keeping with the traditional concepts of reduced "effective' blood volume with stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system. In ascites treated with diuretics, and in the hepato-renal syndrome, the renin-angiotensin system was, however, stimulated. Peritoneo-venous shunt was followed by suppression of this stimulation.