[Changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in elderly patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. 3. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease without cardiovascular failure]. / Veränderungen des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldesteron-Systems (RAAS) bei älteren Patienten mit chronischer ischämischer Herzkrankheit (IHK). 3. Mitteilung. Das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System bei ältern IHK-Patienten ohne Herz-Kreislauf-Insuffizienz.

As shown by the results of the investigation, there is a moderate rise in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity in the elderly patients suffering from chronic IHK under normal conditions of life: basal level, changes in plasma renin activity and circulating aldosterone concentration during a 24-hour period and in response to the orthostasis. Considerable disturbances of the functional state of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are seen with a physical load of the submaximal intensity. The data obtained indicate pathogenetic significance of the above changes which should be taken into consideration while prescribing therapy of such patients.

[Changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in elderly patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. 4. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular insufficiency]. / Veränderungen des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems (RAAS) bei älteren Patienten mit chronischer ischämischer Herzkrankheit (IHK). 4. Mitteilung. Das Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System bei älteren IHK-Kranken mit Herz-Kreislauf-Insuffizienz.

The elderly chronic ischemic heart disease (IHK) patients with cardiac failure show a higher activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system compared to the younger patients. It was noted functional activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system increases with a progress of the disease (decompensation). Changes occur not only in the basal level of plasma reninactivity and circulating aldosterone concentration, but also the 24 hour rhythm to the side of an increased hormonal level during the evening hours, evidencing thus for disadaption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and its decreased reliability under conditions of habitual life activity. Administration of the converting enzyme inhibitor, Captopril, has confirmed a pathogenetic role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the development of cardiac failure syndrome in the chronic IHK patients as well as verified a new approach in the treatment of this pathology.

[Changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the development of hypertension in aging. 2]. / Veränderung des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems bei Entwicklung einer Hypertonie im Alter. 2. Mitteilung.

The change of the reactivity of the RAAS during physiological aging of the organism implies the variety of forms of the course of hypertension: The RAAS is involved in stage I of the development of the disease. The progress of the disease (stage III) results in the "decay" of the RAAS. A dependence of the activity of the RAAS on the clinical course and on the hemodynamic variant of hypertension in old age could detected.

[Change in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in aging. 1]. / Veränderung des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems während des Alterns. 1. Mitteilung.

Data are provided that testify to a changed reactivity of the RAAS in old age: Higher sensitivity of this system to the regulatory influences of the sympathico-adrenal and of the hypothalamus-hypophysis system as well as restriction of the functional facilities and reduction of reactivity. The obtained results indicate an aging-dependent reduction of the degree of reliability of the RAAS in stress situations.

[Use of placental suspensions in geriatric practice]. / Uber die Anwendung von Plazentasuspension in der geriatrischen Praxis.

A number of scientifically substantiated indications of the application of placental suspension in man of higher age, the positive results of the studies of the effectiveness of placental therapy on metabolic processes and physiological functions of the aging organism, and the experience won in the application of placental suspension in the complex therapy of some diseases frequently occurring at old age allow us to consider this kind of treatment an effective therapy and thus to recommend tissue therapy with a placental suspension for the introduction into geriatric practice.

[The role of the kidneys in the pathogenesis of late-onset hypertension]. / Zur Rolle der Nieren in der Pathogenese der Späthypertonie.

The investigation of the functional activity of the kidneys in old hypertensives revealed that the changes in partial functions of the kidneys observed in hypertension tend to diminish the effectiveness of the mechanisms controlling arterial blood pressure. This means that this disorder of function constitutes an important link in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Mild and severe disturbances of renal function in old hypertensives can be regarded as evidence of the growing role of the kidneys in the pathogenesis of late-onset hypertension. They are attributable to pre-existing physiological changes taking place in the kidneys at advanced age and to the declining reliability of the kidneys in the homeostatic control of arterial blood pressure.

[Peculiarities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system in elderly patients with ischaemic heart diseases (author's transl)]. / Die Besonderheiten des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems bei Patienten im höheren Lebensalter mit ischämischer Herzkrankheit.

An investigation into the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in patients of advanced age with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and different degrees of atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis by means of radioimmunoassay, which was used to determine the renin activity and the aldosterone concentration in the plasma, showed that there is in IHD an activation of the above regulatory system even under the conditions of relative rest. Furthermore, it was found out that the renin activity of the plasma was increased only in male patients with IHD, whereas the aldosterone concentration was increased both in males and females. These findings justify the hypothesis on the pathogenetic role played by changes in the RAAS in IHD in old age. The more severe disorders of the RAAS as seen in male patients with IHD explain to some extent the earlier onset and greater severity of IHD in men. For the treatment of hyperaldosteronism, which has been found to be associated with IHD in persons of advanced age, it is necessary to include into the therapeutic plan of patients with IHD, in particular males, competitive aldosterone antagonists as well as beta-adrenergic blocking agents.