The Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System and Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is stimulated significantly more in hypertensive patients with polycystic kidney disease than in comparable patients with essential hypertension. The increased renin release, perhaps due to renal ischemia caused by cyst expansion, probably contributes to the early development of hypertension in polycystic kidney disease.