[What role does secondary hyperaldosteronism play in decompensated liver cirrhosis?]

In 29 untreated resting patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites plasma aldosterone levels were determined. The determinations were performed with a radioimmunoassay using highly specific antibodies without chromatography. Seven aldosterone values were decreased, 18 were normal and only four were increased. The median of the values was 107 pg/ml and differed not from that of healthy persons. In 20 other patients, in which application of diuretics had already been started, 14 plasma aldosterone levels were increased. The median was 332 pg/ml und thus far above the normal range. Secondary aldosteronism in connection with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver arises mainly under therapy with diuretics.