CORTISONE IN HYPERTENSIVE VASCULAR DISEASE 1

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Abstract
Clinical and metabolic studies were undertaken in a patient with uncomplicated hypertensive vascular disease to determine the effects of cortisone acetate admn. in doses of 200 mg. daily for one month. Insomnia, increased appetite, increased loss of scalp hair, menstrual changes and delayed healing of a superficial pyogenic abscess were among the manifestations observed during steroid therapy. In the dosage employed, cortisone admn. induced negligible fluid, electrolyte or carbohydrate changes, a marked negative N balance, a fall in serum K and cholesterol concns., an increase in serum inorganic P, transitory tyrosinuria, some increase in 17-ketosteroid and "corticoid" excretion, a decrease in renal plasma flow and an apparent small decline in cardiac output. Cessation of therapy was associated with the temporary appearance of the signs and symptoms of hypoadrenalism. Following a preliminary rise, there was a small but definite decline in "resting" blood pressure which appeared while the patient was receiving the steroid and which persisted for several weeks after it had been discontinued.