Angiotensin sensitivity test revisited

Objective: To determine the validity of a single angiotensin sensitivity te st as predictor of pregnancy-induced hypertension with special reference to the dietary sodium intake at the time of testing. Methods: The angiotensin sensitivity test was successfully performed at 32 weeks' gestation in 104 women. In 90 of these women, the 24-h urinary sodiu m-creatinine ratio was known. Using an effective pressure dose of 10 ng/kg/ min as the cutoff level, test characteristics were assessed in both the tor tal population and after subdivision into a sodium restricted (n = 23) and an unrestricted diet group (n = 67). Results: The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension was 13.4%. The num ber of positive angiotensin sensitivity tests was 7.5%. Test characteristic s showed poor sensitivity (22.2%) and high specificity (94.8%); positive an d negative predictive values were 40.0% and 88.7%, respectively. None of th e sodium-restricted women was angiotensin sensitive. Sodium restriction did not have a significant influence on sensitivity, specificity, and predicti ve values of the test. Conclusion: The angiotensin sensitivity test is not an appropriate screenin g test to predict hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. No significant effec t of dietary sodium restriction tvas found.