Abstract
To the Editor:
Like Bichet et al. (Dec. 16 issue)
1
we have recently observed that sympathetic nervous activity, as assessed by the plasma norepinephrine concentration, is dramatically increased in decompensated cirrhosis.
2
Since the kidney releases norepinephrine into the peripheral circulation in this condition,
2
we have suggested that increased sympathetic nervous activity may be of importance in the renal cortical vasoconstriction in decompensated cirrhosis.
3
The results reported by Bichet et al. support the view that the sympathetic nervous system is an important component of the homeostatic mechanisms in advanced liver disease. These authors observed a relation between the plasma norepinephrine level, . . .
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