Comparison of Visceral and Peripheral Vascular Beds in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

The responses of the kidney and the lower extremities to single intravenous doses of six "hypotensive" drugs were measured in eight patients diagnosed as having essential hypertension. Use of Hexamethonium, Ilidar and Hydergine was followed by increase in the flow to the extremity and simultaneous decrease in renal blood flow. In contrast, the administration of Apresoline was followed by decrease in flow to the extremity and an increase in renal blood flow. Regitine produced no significant change in either. After the administration of protoveratrine, renal blood flow decreased but a significant change in blood flow to the extremity was not observed. Changes in arterial pressure which occurred with some of the drugs were not correlated with the changes in blood flow to the extremities or to the kidney.