In order to investigate the reactivity to angiotensin II (Ang II) in large and small arteries in situ, brachial artery diameter, blood flow velocity, local volumic blood flow and local vascular resistance (mean arterial pressure divided by local blood flow) were determined non-invasively, using a pulsed Doppler system. Increasing doses of Ang II (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ng/kg per min) were given intravenously and double-blind to nine normotensive subjects (group I) and 10 hypertensive patients (group III); placebo (glucose) was given to nine hypertensives (group II). Angiotensin II did not change the brachial artery diameter, blood flow velocity, local blood flow or local resistance. Mean arterial pressure was increased slightly but significantly (P less than 0.05) by Ang II at 2 ng/kg per min in groups I and III. In contrast, we had shown previously, following the same procedure, that subthreshold doses (for the increase in mean arterial pressure) of noradrenaline reduced branchial artery diameter, velocity and local blood flow and increased local resistance in hypertensives. These results indicate that in hypertensives the vascular reactivity of the brachial circulation (1) is lower than that of other territories in response to Ang II and (2) is lower in response to Ang II than in response to noradrenaline.