Sympathetic Hyperactivity in Chronic Renal Failure: A Wake-up Call
Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Correspondence to Dr. Hein A. Koomans, Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room F03.223, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. Phone: 31-30-2507329; Fax: 31-30-2543492; E-mail: H.A.Koomans@azu.nl
ABSTRACT. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays an important and distinct role in hypertension associated with chronic renal failure (CRF). Renal ischemia, elevated angiotensin II, and suppressed brain nitric oxide (NO) all stimulate sympathetic activity. Evidence is accumulating for a role of sympathetic hyperactivity in renal and cardiac damage in patients with CRF.