Suppression of renin production in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass

Twenty patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization for coronary insufficiency were divided into two equal groups. In 10 patients, propranolol was discontinued 24 hours before operation while the remaining patients received propranolol until the day of operation. Plasma renin was elevated in the intensive care unit in the control group (p < 0.05) whereas patients receiving propranolol did not demonstrate significant elevation of plasma renin. Systemic vascular resistance was elevated in both groups in the intensive care unit (p < 0.05) and was associated with hypertension as defined by a blood pressure of greater than or equal to 160/100 mm Hg in 80% of the control patients and 70% of patients receiving propranolol. We conclude from this study that renin metabolism does not contribute significantly to the production of hypertension following coronary artery operation.