Measurement of effective renal plasma flow: a comparison of methods.

We have compared two in vitro methods and three variations of kidney background (BG) subtraction within a gamma camera method (41 examinations, 31 patients) for determination of effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) using 131I orthoiodohippurate (OIH). Method I: plasma samples at 20 and 45 min after OIH injection, ERPF = dose X slope/intercept; Method II: 45-min plasma sample, ERPF = -51.1 + 8.

Addition of acebutolol to diuretics in hypertension.

The effect of acebutolol as an antihypertensive beta receptor-blocking drug was evaluated in 15 patients that remained hypertensive while on diuretics. Observations were made in a small randomized double-blind trial in which the drug was compared to placebo and subsequently during a single-blind phase when the drug was given to those who had not responded to placebo. The dose range for acebutolol was 200 to 600 mg twice daily.

Saralasin infusion in screening patients for renovascular hypertension.

The usefulness of screening patients for renovascular hypertension by infusion of saralasin, a competitive antagonist of angiotensin II, was evaluated. Responses were compared in 19 patients with proved renovascular hypertension and in 34 without renovascular hypertension, as indicated by renal arteriography and renal venous renin studies. Saralasin infusion was carried out in the morning after furosemide, 80 mg by mouth, had been given the previous evening.