Role of kidneys in regulation of arterial pressure in normal conditions and following changes in circulating blood volume

Abstract

The review focused on contribution of renal mechanisms to regulation of blood pressure under clinically significant conditions of haemorrhage or infusion of an additional volume of fluid into the circulation. The authors underlined that kidneys are involved in two circuits of cardiovascular regulation, one of which is linked to systemic arterial pressure via the rennin-angiotensin system and the other is linked to changes in circulating blood volume via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Special attention is paid to participation of the rennin-angiotensin system and vasopressin in compensation and therapy for blood loss. The authors’ own experimental data are used to explain approaches for monitoring the systemic circulation. The review is addressed to physicians and senior medical students particularly interested in resuscitation and urgent therapy.