Renal participation in enhanced pressor responses to noradrenaline in patients given hexamethonium.

Ganglion-blockers, such as tetra-ethylammonium (TEA) and hexamethonium, enhance responsiveness to vasoactive agents, both pressor and depressor (1). In dogs, the renal arterial bed seems to contribute to the change in blood pressure response since, after giving TEA, adrenaline causes a larger increase and isopropylnoradrenaline (Isuprel@) a larger decrease in renal vascular resistance than in the untreated state (2). The present study was undertaken with the aim of determining responsiveness to noradrenaline in hypertensive patients given hexamethonium and the participation in this of the renal circulation.