[A new diagnostic test for primary tumoral hyperaldosteronism].

Plasma aldosterone levels were measured during two tests of inhibition in 31 hypertensive patients (13 essential hypertension, 6 bilateral adrenal hyperplasia and 12 documented Conn adenomas) on normal salt diets after withdrawal of all therapy: 1--before and after intravenous infusion of 2 I normal saline in two hours; 2--before and three hours after administration of 1 mg/kg of Captopril. Plasma aldosterone levels greater than 360 pmol/I after salt loading, or greater than 748 pmol/I after Captopril is characteristic of primary tumoral hyperaldosteronism. Apart from the rapidity of the test, Captopril is well-tolerated, does not require acute volume expansion and can be carried out in all forms of hypertension, even in severe cases.