Relation of Aldosterone Secretion to Hypertensive Vascular Disease

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Abstract
Aldosterone secretion was measured indirectly by a precise technic of isotope dilution under conditions of controlled metabolism balance. The work shows that aldosterone secretion is normal in common (benign essential) hypertension. In contrast, marked oversecretion of aldosterone was consistently found in malignant hypertension. It is suggested that aldosterone may be involved in the pathogenesis of malignant hypertension. Because renal damage is present in malignant hypertension, the effect of a renal pressor substance, angiotensin, was tested and found to increase aldosterone secretion. These findings relate a renal mechanism to the control of salt balance via aldosterone secretion. Such an interaction may be involved in the pathogenesis of malignant hypertension.