PhD Defence Gregory Patrick Veldhuizen

Keywords: Renin, Aldosterone, Aldosterone-to-Renin Ratio (ARR), Hypertension
 

"The factors influencing renin, aldosterone, and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio"

The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is a critical diagnostic tool for identifying primary aldosteronism (PA), a common cause of secondary hypertension. This research highlights the significant impact of factors such as age, sex, posture, and sodium intake on ARR results, underscoring the importance of accounting for these variables. Medications, including those previously considered neutral for ARR testing, were found to affect renin and aldosterone levels, challenging existing guidelines. Age was identified as the primary determinant of ARR, with older individuals exhibiting higher values. 

Studies on women with a history of preeclampsia revealed altered renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system function, while sodium restriction and diurnal variations demonstrated significant ARR fluctuations based on dietary and temporal factors. Kidney vein analysis further revealed correlations between aldosterone levels and renin secretion rates. These findings emphasize the necessity of standardized testing conditions and careful interpretation to ensure accurate ARR-based diagnosis of PA. 

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