Elevated endothelin-1 levels and persistent stage IV hypertension in a nonvolume overloaded anephric patient.

Persistent hypertension after nephrectomy is in most cases due to increased fluid volume. Endothelin-1 is a potent endogenous vasoconstrictor peptide. Its role in the development and maintenance of hypertension is not completely understood, but it might be significant in some cases. We report a case of stage IV hypertension after nephrectomy with elevated endothelin-1 levels and no volume overload.