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Discordance between imaging and immunohistochemistry in unilateral primary aldosteronism. Nanba Aya T,Nanba Kazutaka,Byrd James B,Shields James J,Giordano Thomas J,Miller Barbara S,Rainey William E,Auchus Richard J,Turcu Adina F Clinical endocrinology OBJECTIVE:Correct subtyping of primary aldosteronism (PA) is essential for good surgical outcomes. Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) and/or computed tomography (CT) are used for PA subclassification. Clinical and/or biochemical improvement after surgery, however, is not always achieved in patients with presumed unilateral PA. We aimed to identify the pitfalls in PA subclassification leading to surgical treatment failures. PATIENTS AND DESIGN:We retrospectively studied 208 patients who underwent adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for PA subclassification in a tertiary referral centre, between January 2009 and August 2016. Simultaneous bilateral AVS was performed before and after cosyntropin administration. We implemented immunohistochemistry for aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) and 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17A1) in adrenal glands resected from patients without improvement of PA after surgical treatment and from those with limitations in AVS interpretation. RESULTS:Of 55 patients who underwent adrenalectomy, three (5.5%) had no improvement of PA. All three patients underwent partial adrenalectomy to remove a CT-detected nodule present on the same side with AVS lateralization. Immunohistochemistry revealed a CYP11B2-negative nodule in both cases available. All patients who underwent total adrenalectomy based on AVS lateralization benefitted from surgery, including three patients with unilateral unsuccessful AVS and aldosterone suppression in the catheterized side vs inferior vena cava. CONCLUSIONS:Radiographically identified adrenal nodules are not always a source of PA, even when ipsilateral with AVS lateralization. These data caution against reliance on imaging findings, either alone or in conjunction with AVS, to guide surgery for PA. 10.1111/cen.13442
Saline suppression test parameters may predict bilateral subtypes of primary aldosteronism. Hashimura Hikaru,Shen Jimmy,Fuller Peter J,Chee Nicholas Y N,Doery James C G,Chong Winston,Choy Kay Weng,Gwini StellaMay,Yang Jun Clinical endocrinology BACKGROUND:The saline suppression test (SST) serves to confirm the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) whilst adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is used to determine whether the aldosterone hypersecretion is unilateral or bilateral. An accurate prediction of bilateral PA based on SST results could reduce the need for AVS. AIM:We sought to identify SST parameters that reliably predict bilateral PA. METHODS:The results from 121 patients undergoing SSTs at Monash Health from January 2010 to January 2018 including screening blood tests, imaging, AVS and histopathology results were evaluated. Patients were subtyped into unilateral or bilateral PA based on AVS and surgical outcomes. RESULTS:Of 113 patients with confirmed PA, 33 had unilateral disease whilst 42 had bilateral disease. In those with bilateral disease, plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was significantly lower post-SST, together with a significant fall in the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR). The combination of PAC < 300 pmol/L and a reduction in ARR post-SST provided 96.8% specificity in predicting bilateral disease. Eighteen of 39 patients (49%) with bilateral PA could have avoided AVS using these criteria. CONCLUSION:A combination of PAC < 300 pmol/L and a lower ARR post-SST could reliably predict bilateral PA. An independent cohort will be needed to validate these findings. 10.1111/cen.13757
Primary Aldosteronism: Present and Future. Funder John W Vitamins and hormones Primary aldosteronism (PA), currently recognized to be 5-10% of hypertension, has a cardiovascular risk profile double that in age-, sex-, and blood pressure-matched essential hypertensives. Screening for PA is by determining the plasma aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR), followed by one of half a dozen confirmatory/exclusion tests. Unilateral hyperaldosteronism normally reflects an aldosterone producing adenoma; bilateral disease is the more common form, and termed idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Subjects confirmed undergo imaging, followed by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) for lateralization. Unilateral lesions undergo laparoscopic adrenalectomy, to normalize aldosterone levels, and in approximately half reduction of BP/antihypertensive use. Bilateral hyperaldosteronism is treated by low dose mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists MRAs, plus amiloride/conventional antihypertensives, if/as indicated.In the future, what is needed is recognition that inappropriate aldosterone levels for sodium status (i.e., PA) represents up to 50% of "essential" hypertensives; all hypertensive should thus be screened by a modified ARR, using 24-h urinary aldosterone rather than a single plasma aldosterone. The current reluctance to do so reflects the costs of AVS if PA is confirmed-optimally by a standard seated saline suppression test-followed by surgery or life-long MRAs. Increasingly AVS will be replaced by plasma steroid assays capable of discriminating APA from the far more common IAH. Third generation MRAs (as selective as eplerenone, as potent as spironolactone, non-steroidal) are in development; in the interim, to minimize side effects and maximize compliance, spironolactone dosage should be set at 12.5-25 mg/day. 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.10.006
ACTH stimulation test and computed tomography are useful for differentiating the subtype of primary aldosteronism. Moriya Ayako,Yamamoto Masaaki,Kobayashi Shunsuke,Nagamine Tomoko,Takeichi-Hattori Naomi,Nagao Mototsugu,Harada Taro,Tanimura-Inagaki Kyoko,Onozawa Shiro,Murata Satoru,Tamura Hideki,Fukuda Izumi,Oikawa Shinichi,Sugihara Hitoshi Endocrine journal The diagnostic steps for primary aldosteronism (PA) include case screening tests, confirmatory tests, and localization. The aim of this study was to identify useful confirmatory tests and their cut-off values for differentiating the subtype of primary aldosteronism, especially in unilateral PA, such as aldosterone-producing adenoma, and bilateral PA, such as idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. Seventy-six patients who underwent all four confirmatory tests, the captopril-challenge test (CCT), furosemide upright test (FUT), saline infusion test (SIT), and ACTH stimulation test (AST), and who were confirmed to have an aldosterone excess by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) were recruited. Subjects were diagnosed as having unilateral aldosterone excess (n=17) or bilateral aldosterone excess (n=59) by AVS. The SIT-positive rate was significantly higher in the unilateral group (94.1%) than in the bilateral group (57.6%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that tumor on computed tomography (CT) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC)/cortisol on the AST were useful for differentiating the subtype of PA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for distinguishing the subtype of PA showed that a cut-off value of 18.3 PAC/cortisol on the AST had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 88%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.918 (95% confidence interval 0.7916-0.9708). These data suggest that abdominal CT and AST are useful for differentiating the subtype of PA and the indication for AVS. 10.1507/endocrj.EJ16-0297
[The application of captopril challenge test in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism]. Chen S,Zeng Z P,Song A L,Zhu L,Lu L,Tong A L,Shi C,Li H Z Zhonghua nei ke za zhi To evaluate the value of captopril challenge test (CCT) in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). A total of 674 patients [(45.0±13.7) years, men 341, women 333] admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed. Among them, 222 subjects were with essential hypertension (EH), 28 were with pheochromocytoma (PHEO), 246 were with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) and 178 were with aldosterone producing adenoma (APA). All patients received CCT. 24 h urine sodium was measured in partial patients. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALD) were detected. Compared with EH [PRA: before 0.5(0.2, 0.9) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.8(0.4, 1.5) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (393±122) pmol/L, after (360±97) pmol/L] and PHEO [PRA: before 0.3(0.1, 0.9) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.4(0.1, 1.6) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (396±108) pmol/L, after (374±114) pmol/L], lower levels of PRA and higher levels of ALD before and after CCT were observed in PA patients [PRA: before 0.1 (0.1, 0.2) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.1 (0.1, 0.2) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (468±216) pmol/L; after (457±199) pmol/L]. After CCT, the suppression rate of ALD [2.8% (-8.8%, 15.4%) vs 6.6% (-4.3%, 17.6%)] and increasing rate of PRA [0(0, 50%) vs 50%(0, 200%)] in PA patients were lower than those in EH patients. The ALD/PRA ratio (ARR) were higher in PA than that in EH or PHEO patients. In the EH subjects, ALD levels of seated posture were higher than those of recumbent posture both before and after receiving captopril, but with no changes in ARR after CCT. No significant differences in ALD and ARR (before and after receiving captopril) were observed between seated and recumbent position in the PA group. The ARR after CCT tended to decrease in EH subjects with elevated urine-sodium compared with those with normal urine-sodium. No changes could be viewed in ALD and PRA levels between normal urine-sodium and elevated urine-sodium groups among APA, IHA and EH patients either before or after CCT. Among patients with APA, the ALD levels before CCT and the ARR after CCT were lower in the patients with AngiotensionⅡ(AngⅡ) reactive than those without. A ROC curve analysis suggested that the optimal cutoff value was 46.2 (ALD unit: ng/dl; PRA unit: μg·L(-1)·h(-1)) for ARR after challenge in diagnosing PA, with the sensitivity of 88.7% and specificity of 84.8%. ARR after 25 mg captopril had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of PA with the cutoff of 46.2. Seated CCT could replace recumbent CCT as a more confirmatory test. The PRA increasing rate should be taken into consideration when diagnosis of PA. 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0578-1426.2017.06.004
Confirmatory Tests for the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism: A Prospective Diagnostic Accuracy Study. Song Ying,Yang Shumin,He Wenwen,Hu Jinbo,Cheng Qingfeng,Wang Yue,Luo Ting,Ma Linqiang,Zhen Qianna,Zhang Suhua,Mei Mei,Wang Zhihong,Qing Hua,Bruemmer Dennis,Peng Bin,Li Qifu, Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism typically requires at least one confirmatory test. The fludrocortisone suppression test is generally accepted as a reliable confirmatory test, but it is cumbersome. Evidence from accuracy studies of the saline infusion test (SIT) and the captopril challenge test (CCT) has provided conflicting results. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the SIT and CCT using fludrocortisone suppression test as the reference standard. One hundred thirty-five patients diagnosed with primary aldosteronism and 101 patients diagnosed with essential hypertension who completed the 3 confirmatory tests were included for the diagnostic accuracy analysis. The areas under the receiver-operator characteristics curves of the CCT and SIT were 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-0.98) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.92-0.98), respectively, using post-test plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) for diagnosis. However, the areas under the receiver-operator characteristics curves of the CCT decreased to 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65-0.77) when the PAC suppression percentage was used to diagnose primary aldosteronism. The optimal cutoff of PAC post-CCT was set at 11 ng/dL, resulting in a sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.84-0.95) and a specificity of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83-0.95), which were not significantly different from those of SIT (with PAC post-SIT set at 8 ng/dL, sensitivity: 0.85 [95% CI, 0.78-0.91], =0.192; specificity: 0.92 [95% CI, 0.85-0.97], =0.551). In conclusion, both CCT and SIT are accurate alternatives to the more complex fludrocortisone suppression test. Because CCT is safe and much easier to perform, it may serve as a more feasible alternative. When interpreting the results of CCT, PAC post-CCT is highly recommended. 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.117.10197
High efficiency of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio in precisely detecting primary aldosteronism. Gan Wenjia,Lin Wenbin,Ouyang Jianjun,Li Yuzhe,Chen Dubo,Yao Zhenrong,Feng Pinning Journal of human hypertension The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is extensively used for primary aldosteronism detection. Chemiluminescence immune assay (CLIA) is newly applied in aldosterone and renin detection for calculating the aldosterone-to-renin ratio. The performance of new ARR in aldosteronism detection is poorly evaluated. We aim to estimate the diagnostic value of this new aldosterone-to-renin ratio by highly standardized and clinically based protocol. Four hundred and forty-two patients were enrolled in our retrospective study. They went to the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University with difficult-to-control hypertension. Primary aldosteronism diagnosis was based on clinical criteria, including a saline infusion test and other necessary inspections. ARR was calculated from plasma aldosterone and renin measured by CLIA. The cutoff value was determined and the diagnostic value was evaluated. The cutoff value of ARR for primary aldosteronism diagnosis was 28.3, with a sensitivity of 87.6%, specificity of 100%, negative-predictive value of 96.4%, and positive-predictive value of 100%. Then, we found that Age was weakly correlated with ARR. The cutoff values of ARR for primary aldosteronism diagnosis in 26-45-, 46-65-, and 66-85-year-old patients were, respectively, 29.45, 27.95, and 28.4, with sensitivities of 87.5%, 87.7%, and 87.5%, specificities of 100% for all, negative-predictive values of 97.7%, 94.3%, and 96.3%, and positive-predictive values of 100% for all. ARR generated by CLIA is a good diagnostic test for primary aldosteronism without making a false-positive diagnosis. Although ARR is correlated with age, ARR cutoff values for different ages are not more efficient than that for total sample in primary aldosteronism diagnosis. 10.1038/s41371-018-0112-8
Classification of microadenomas in patients with primary aldosteronism by steroid profiling. Yang Yuhong,Burrello Jacopo,Burrello Alessio,Eisenhofer Graeme,Peitzsch Mirko,Tetti Martina,Knösel Thomas,Beuschlein Felix,Lenders Jacques W M,Mulatero Paolo,Reincke Martin,Williams Tracy Ann The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology In primary aldosteronism (PA) the differentiation of unilateral aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) from bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) is usually performed by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and/or computed tomography (CT). CT alone often lacks the sensitivity to identify micro-APAs. Our objectives were to establish if steroid profiling could be useful for the identification of patients with micro-APAs and for the development of an online tool to differentiate micro-APAs, macro-APAs and BAH. The study included patients with PA (n = 197) from Munich (n = 124) and Torino (n = 73) and comprised 33 patients with micro-APAs, 95 with macro-APAs, and 69 with BAH. Subtype differentiation was by AVS, and micro- and macro-APAs were selected according to pathology reports. Steroid concentrations in peripheral venous plasma were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An online tool using a random forest model was built for the classification of micro-APA, macro-APA and BAH. Micro-APA were classified with low specificity (33%) but macro-APA and BAH were correctly classified with high specificity (93%). Improved classification of micro-APAs was achieved using a diagnostic algorithm integrating steroid profiling, CT scanning and AVS procedures limited to patients with discordant steroid and CT results. This would have increased the correct classification of micro-APAs to 68% and improved the overall classification to 92%. Such an approach could be useful to select patients with CT-undetectable micro-APAs in whom AVS should be considered mandatory. 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.01.008
Accuracy of adrenal computed tomography in predicting the unilateral subtype in young patients with hypokalaemia and elevation of aldosterone in primary aldosteronism. Umakoshi Hironobu,Ogasawara Tatsuki,Takeda Yoshiyu,Kurihara Isao,Itoh Hiroshi,Katabami Takuyuki,Ichijo Takamasa,Wada Norio,Shibayama Yui,Yoshimoto Takanobu,Ogawa Yoshihiro,Kawashima Junji,Sone Masakatsu,Inagaki Nobuya,Takahashi Katsutoshi,Watanabe Minemori,Matsuda Yuichi,Kobayashi Hiroki,Shibata Hirotaka,Kamemura Kohei,Otsuki Michio,Fujii Yuichi,Yamamto Koichi,Ogo Atsushi,Yanase Toshihiko,Okamura Shintaro,Miyauchi Shozo,Suzuki Tomoko,Tsuiki Mika,Naruse Mitsuhide Clinical endocrinology CONTEXT:The current Endocrine Society Guideline suggests that patients aged <35 years with marked primary aldosteronism (PA) and unilateral adrenal lesions on adrenal computed tomography (CT) scan may not need adrenal vein sampling (AVS) before proceeding to unilateral adrenalectomy. This suggestion is, however, based on the data from only one report in the literature. OBJECTIVE:We sought to determine the accuracy of CT findings in young PA patients who had unilateral adrenal disease on CT with hypokalaemia and elevation of aldosterone. DESIGN AND PATIENTS:We retrospectively studied 358 PA patients (n = 30, aged <35 years; n = 39, aged 35-40 years; n = 289, aged ≥40 years) with hypokalaemia and elevation of aldosterone and unilateral disease on CT who had successful AVS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Accuracy of CT findings is determined by AVS findings and/or surgical outcomes in patients aged <35 years. RESULTS:Concordance of the diagnosis between CT and AVS was 90% (27/30) in patients aged <35 years, 79% (31/39) in patients aged 35-40 years and 69% (198/289) in those aged ≥40 years (trend for P < .01). Surgical benefit was confirmed in three patients aged <35 years and in three patients aged 35-40 years with the available surgical data who had discordance between CT and AVS findings. Collectively, the diagnostic accuracy of CT findings was 100% (30/30) if aged <35 years and 87% (34/39) if aged 35-40 years. CONCLUSION:Primary aldosteronism patients aged <35 years with hypokalaemia and elevation of aldosterone and unilateral disease on adrenal CT could be spared AVS. 10.1111/cen.13582
Role of Aldosterone and Potassium Levels in Sparing Confirmatory Tests in Primary Aldosteronism. Umakoshi Hironobu,Sakamoto Ryuichi,Matsuda Yayoi,Yokomoto-Umakoshi Maki,Nagata Hiromi,Fukumoto Tazuru,Ogata Masatoshi,Ogawa Yoshihiro The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism CONTEXT:The current clinical guidelines suggest that confirmatory tests for primary aldosteronism (PA) may be excluded in some of patients who have elevated plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) under plasma renin suppression. However, this has low-priority evidence and is under debate in use of serum potassium. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate an appropriate setting for sparing confirmatory tests in PA. DESIGN AND SETTING:A retrospective cross-sectional study in a single referral center. PARTICIPANTS:This study included 327 patients who had hypertension under plasma renin suppression and underwent the captopril challenge test (CCT) between January 2007 and April 2019. CCT results were used to diagnose PA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Diagnostic value of PAC and serum potassium in confirmation of PA. RESULTS:Of the studied patients, 252 of 327 (77%) were diagnosed with PA. All 61 patients with PAC > 30 ng/dL were diagnosed with PA. In patients with PAC between 20 and 30 ng/dL, 44 of 55 (80%) were diagnosed with PA, while all 26 with PAC between 20 to 30 ng/dL who had spontaneous hypokalemia were diagnosed with PA. The proportion of unilateral PA determined by adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was higher in patients who had PAC > 30 ng/dL or those with spontaneous hypokalemia who had PAC between 20 and 30 ng/dL than those who did not meet the criteria (76% vs. 17%, P < .001). CONCLUSION:Confirmatory tests in PA could be spared in patients who have typical features of PA and these patients had a high probability of unilateral PA on AVS. 10.1210/clinem/dgz148
Primary Aldosteronism: Practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Byrd James Brian,Turcu Adina F,Auchus Richard J Circulation Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of secondary hypertension. In many cases, somatic mutations in ion channels and pumps within adrenal cells initiate the pathogenesis of PA, and this mechanism might explain why PA is so common and suggests that milder and evolving forms of PA must exist. Compared with primary hypertension, PA causes more end-organ damage and is associated with excess cardiovascular morbidity, including heart failure, stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. Screening is simple and readily available, and targeted therapy improves blood pressure control and mitigates cardiovascular morbidity. Despite these imperatives, screening rates for PA are low, and mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists are underused for hypertension treatment. After the evidence for the prevalence of PA and its associated cardiovascular morbidity is summarized, a practical approach to PA screening, referral, and management is described. All physicians who treat hypertension should routinely screen appropriate patients for PA. 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.033597
Identifying unilateral disease in Chinese patients with primary aldosteronism by using a modified prediction score. Zhang Ying,Niu Wenquan,Zheng Fangfang,Zhang Hua,Zhou Wenlong,Shen Zhoujun,Xu Jianzhong,Tang Xiaofeng,Zhang Jin,Gao Ping-Jin,Wang Ji-Guang,Zhu Limin Journal of hypertension OBJECTIVE:The current study aimed to evaluate the role of Küpers' score in predicting unilateral aldosteronism, and develop a modified score in Chinese patients with primary aldosteronism. METHODS:The current retrospective study included 406 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent successful adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and were divided into the unilateral (n = 211) and bilateral (n = 195) groups according to the AVS results. Normokalemia was noted in both the unilateral (n = 64) and bilateral groups (n = 84) when plasma and urinary aldosterone were measured. RESULTS:We evaluated Küpers' prediction score, which had the best cutoff value at four points [area under the curve, 0.601 (95% confidence interval 0.551-0.650); specificity, 53%; sensitivity, 62%]. Then, we modified this score by using urinary aldosterone level quartiles, history of hypokalemia, and typical adenoma more than 10 mm on computed tomography (CT) [area under the curve, 0.745 (95% confidence interval 0.667-0.813)]; sensitivity, 45.3%; specificity, 90.5%). The best cutoff value to discriminate unilateral from bilateral disease was a score of 5. This modified prediction score only applied to patients who were normokalemic when urinary aldosterone was measured. A specificity of 100% was achieved at a score of 6 for patients aged 40 years or less, and 5 when the adrenal lesion was on the right side on CT imaging. CONCLUSION:Küpers' prediction score is not suitable for our patients. Urinary aldosterone levels combined with a history of hypokalemia are useful to discriminate unilateral from bilateral aldosteronism in patients with typical adenoma on the right adrenal gland on CT or in patients 40 years old or less. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001488
Development and validation of subtype prediction scores for the workup of primary aldosteronism. Kobayashi Hiroki,Abe Masanori,Soma Masayoshi,Takeda Yoshiyu,Kurihara Isao,Itoh Hiroshi,Umakoshi Hironobu,Tsuiki Mika,Katabami Takuyuki,Ichijo Takamasa,Wada Norio,Yoshimoto Takanobu,Ogawa Yoshihiro,Kawashima Junji,Sone Masakatsu,Inagaki Nobuya,Takahashi Katsutoshi,Watanabe Minemori,Matsuda Yuichi,Shibata Hirotaka,Kamemura Kohei,Yanase Toshihiko,Otsuki Michio,Fujii Yuichi,Yamamoto Koichi,Ogo Atsushi,Nanba Kazutaka,Tanabe Akiyo,Suzuki Tomoko,Naruse Mitsuhide, Journal of hypertension OBJECTIVES:A subtype prediction score for primary aldosteronism has not yet been developed and validated using a large dataset. This study aimed to develop and validate a new subtype prediction score and to compare it with existing scores using a large multicenter database. METHODS:In total, 1936 patients with primary aldosteronism were randomly assigned to the development and validation datasets, constituting 1290 and 646 patients, respectively. Three prediction scores were generated with or without confirmatory tests, using logistic regression analysis. In the validation dataset, new and existing prediction scores were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve, net reclassification improvement, and integrated discrimination improvement analyses. RESULTS:The new prediction score is simply calculated using serum potassium levels [>3.9 mmol/l (four points); 3.5-3.9 mmol/l (three points)], the absence of adrenal nodules during computed tomography (three points), a baseline plasma aldosterone concentration of <210.0 pg/ml (two points), a baseline aldosterone/renin ratio of less than 620 (two points), and female sex (one point). Using the validation dataset, we found that a new subtype prediction score of at least 8 had a positive predictive value of 93.5% for bilateral hyperaldosteronism. The new prediction score for bilateral hyperaldosteronism was better than the existing prediction scores in the receiver operating characteristic curve and net reclassification improvement analyses. CONCLUSION:The new prediction score has clear advantages over the existing prediction scores in terms of diagnostic accuracy, feasibility, and the potential for generalization in a large population. These data will help healthcare professionals to better select patients who require adrenal venous sampling. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001855
Can incomplete adrenal venous sampling data be used in predicting the subtype of primary aldosteronism? Lin Lede,Zhou Liang,Guo Yiding,Liu Zhenghuan,Chen Tao,Liu Zhihong,Wang Kunjie,Li Jiaqi,Zhu Yuchun,Ren Yan Annales d'endocrinologie BACKGROUND:Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the gold standard for preoperative differentiation between unilateral and bilateral primary aldosteronism (PA). However, results are sometimes vitiated by failing to access the right adrenal vein. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The present study assumed that clinical decisions can be made with incomplete AVS data, by comparing aldosterone/cortisol (A/C) ratio in both left and right adrenal veins with that in the inferior vena cava (LAV/IVC and RAV/IVC). Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve and scatterplot were used to certify the upper and lower cutoffs and to analyze the significance of discrimination. One hundred and sixty patients diagnosed with PA from April 2017 to June 2018 underwent AVS in the Urology Department of West China Hospital, Chengdu, China. One hundred and eleven with complete AVS data were divided into 3 groups: left-sided (N=40), right-sided (N=29) and bilateral (N=42). We also collected patients from September 2018 to April 2019 in our department as validation cohort to test our hypothesis. RESULTS:On the basis of LAV/IVC, RAV/IVC and diagnostic category, upper cutoff was 1.14 (50% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and lower cutoff 0.07 (27.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity) for LAV/IVC, and 1.04 (55% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and 0.08 (40% sensitivity and 100% specificity), respectively, for RAV/IVC. CONCLUSION:The diagnostic model in this study contributes to clinical decision-making in patients with only partial PA with incomplete AVS data. 10.1016/j.ando.2019.10.001
Prevalence, diagnosis and outcomes of treatment for primary aldosteronism. Yang Yuhong,Reincke Martin,Williams Tracy Ann Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common potentially curable form of hypertension. The overproduction of aldosterone leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events as well as adverse effects to the heart and kidney and psychological disorders. PA is mainly caused by unilateral aldosterone excess due to an aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral excess due to bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia. The diagnostic work-up of PA comprises three steps: screening, confirmatory testing and differentiation of unilateral surgically-correctable forms from medically treated bilateral PA. These specific treatments can mitigate or reverse the increased risks associated with PA. Herein we summarise the prevalence, outcomes and current and future clinical approaches for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. 10.1016/j.beem.2019.101365
Left-versus-right-adrenal-volume ratio as a screening index before adrenal venous sampling to identify unilateral primary aldosteronism patients. Li Sicheng,Sun Huaiqiang,Ma Lifen,Zhu Yuchun,Xie Wei,Sun Jiayu,Zhao Lianling,Qing Bin,Ren Yan,Tian Haoming,Chen Tao Journal of hypertension OBJECTIVES:The current study aimed to investigate the value of the computed tomography-based left-versus-right adrenal gland volume ratio (L/Rv) in screening patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism. METHODS:The current study recruited 114 patients who underwent successful adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and adrenal computed tomography at West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The patients were divided into three groups according to the AVS results: AVS-left, AVS-bilateral, and AVS-right primary aldosteronism. The volumes of the left and right adrenal glands were semiautomatically calculated. The L/Rv of each patient was computed, and its value in identifying unilateral primary aldosteronism was analyzed. RESULTS:The mean value of the L/Rv was larger in AVS-left patients and smaller in AVS-right patients than that in AVS-bilateral patients. In AVS-left primary aldosteronism patients, the cutoff value of the L/Rv with the highest Youden index was 1.344 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.851, sensitivity 80.0%, specificity 78.1%]. The optimal cutoff value was 1.908, of which 46.0% (23/50) of AVS-left primary aldosteronism patients could be identified (specificity 100.0%). In AVS-right primary aldosteronism patients, the cutoff value of the L/Rv with the highest Youden index was 1.267 (AUC 0.868, specificity 72.8%, sensitivity 87.9%). The optimal cutoff value was 0.765, of which 27.3% (9/33) of AVS-right primary aldosteronism patients could be identified (specificity 100.0%). Patients with L/Rv more than 1.908 or less than 0.765 had higher complete success rate postsurgery. CONCLUSION:Although not perfect, the L/Rv is an applicable index to screen unilateral primary aldosteronism patients for surgery. Primary aldosteronism patients, even those aged more than 35 years, with an L/Rv more than 1.908 or less than 0.765 can be spared AVS before surgery. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002271
Aldosterone Reduction Rate After Saline Infusion Test May Be a Novel Prediction in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism. Nagano Hidekazu,Kono Takashi,Saiga Atsushi,Kubota Yoshihiro,Fujimoto Masanori,Felizola Saulo J A,Ishiwata Kazuki,Tamura Ai,Higuchi Seiichiro,Sakuma Ikki,Hashimoto Naoko,Suzuki Sawako,Koide Hisashi,Takeshita Nobushige,Sakamoto Shinichi,Ban Toshiaki,Yokote Koutaro,Nakamura Yasuhiro,Ichikawa Tomohiko,Uno Takashi,Tanaka Tomoaki The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism OBJECTIVE:Accurate assessment and localization of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are essential for the treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA). Although adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the standard method of reference for subtype diagnosis in PA, controversy exists concerning the criteria for its interpretation. This study aims to determine better indicators that can reliably predict subtypes of PA. METHOD:Retrospective, single-cohort analysis including 209 patients with PA who were subjected to AVS. Eighty-two patients whose plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) were normalized after surgery were histopathologically or genetically diagnosed with APA. The accuracy of image findings was compared to AVS results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis between the operated and the no-apparent laterality groups was performed using AVS parameters and loading test for diagnosis of PA. RESULT:Agreement between image findings and AVS results was 56.3%. ROC curve analysis revealed that the lateralization index (LI) after adrenocorticotropin stimulation cutoff was 2.40, with 98.8% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity. The contralateral suppression index (CSI) cutoff value was 1.19, with 98.0% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity. All patients over the LI and CSI cutoff values exhibited unilateral subtypes. Among the loading test, the best classification accuracy was achieved using the PAC reduction rate after a saline infusion test (SIT) >33.8%, which yielded 87.2% sensitivity or a PAC after a SIT <87.9 pg/mL with 86.2% specificity for predicting bilateral PA. CONCLUSION:The combined criteria of the PAC reduction rate and PAC after the SIT can determine which subset of patients with APA who should be performed AVS for validation. 10.1210/clinem/dgz092
[Update and Research Progress in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism]. Li Yuan-Mei,Ren Yan,Chen Tao,Tian Hao-Ming Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The diagnosis procedure of PA includes screening, confirmatory diagnosis and subtype classification. International and national guidelines recommended plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) to plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARR) to detect possible cases of PA, and one or more tests (fludrocortisone suppression test, saline infusion test, oral sodium loading test, or captopril challenge test) to confirm ARR positive patients. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is also recommended as the best method to distinguish unilateral and bilateral adrenal disease when surgical treatment is feasible and desired by the patient. However, many studies find that each of the above diagnostic method has shortcomings. Recently, more and more studies are attempting to explore new methods with higher diagnostic efficiency and more conveniences, including new screening tests, new confirmatory diagnostic tests, new imaging and pathological histology methods. In our studies, the regression model, which included upright PAC, upright PRA, and lowest potassium, is superior to ARR for PA screening; the blood potassium and the ratio of blood potassium to blood sodium after the saline infusion test are not suitable for PA subtyping. This article will review the advances and progress in PA diagnosis. 10.12182/20200560201
Impact of immunohistochemistry on the diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism: An important tool for improved patient follow-up. Scandinavian journal of surgery : SJS : official organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society BACKGROUND AND AIMS:Primary aldosteronism is a common cause of secondary hypertension. Primary aldosteronism is caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral hyperplasia that in some cases is asymmetrical with one adrenal dominating aldosterone secretion. Most patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma are biochemically cured by unilateral adrenalectomy, but patients with bilateral hyperplasia have a significant risk of residual or recurrent disease. Here, immunohistochemistry of CYP11B1 and B2 was used to investigate whether these markers could aid in the diagnostic workup of primary aldosteronism patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 39 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy for a presumed adenoma during 2013-2016 were included. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies identifying the enzymes CYP11B1 and B2 was part of routine histopathological workup in 6 cases; in 33 cases, it was applied retrospectively. The hyperplasia diagnosis was suggested when there was no dominating nodule but immunoreactivity for CYP11B2 was seen in several nodules, which were also seen on routine sections. To distinguish between adenoma and hyperplasia, a ratio between the largest and second largest CYP11B2-positive nodules was calculated. RESULTS:In all, 22 patients had an aldosterone-producing adenoma, while 13 patients were judged to have hyperplasia. In four cases, a final diagnosis could not be established, thus these were judged equivocal. Among the 33 cases investigated retrospectively, the primary histopathological diagnosis was altered from hyperplasia to aldosterone-producing adenoma in 9 cases (27%) after immunohistochemistry, and the immunohistochemically rectified adenoma group displayed improved clinical cure rates compared to the routine H&E-diagnosed cohort. Moreover, the B2 ratio was significantly higher in adenoma than in hyperplasia and equivocal cases. CONCLUSION:Immunohistochemistry detecting CYP11B1 and B2 expression is of great help in establishing a final histopathological diagnosis in patients with primary aldosteronism. This procedure should be part of the histopathological routine in all operated primary aldosteronism patients. 10.1177/1457496918822622
Accuracy of adrenal imaging and adrenal venous sampling in diagnosing unilateral primary aldosteronism. Ladurner Roland,Sommerey Sandra,Buechner Stefan,Dietz Anna,Degenhart Christoph,Hallfeldt Klaus,Gallwas Julia European journal of clinical investigation INTRODUCTION:The correct differentiation between unilateral and bilateral adrenal involvement in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) is of utmost importance to justify surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of adrenal imaging compared to adrenal venous sampling (AVS), histopathology and postoperative outcome. METHODS:The data of all patients with unequivocal AVS who underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism between May 2004 and April 2015 were entered in this retrospective study. We compared computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results with corresponding AVS data, histopathology findings and postoperative outcome. RESULTS:A total of 175 patients underwent unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism. AVS was successful in 152 patients and postoperative outcome available in 148 patients. Despite unilateral disease according to AVS results, bilateral normal glands were seen in 15 MRI (17·2%) and 7 CT scans (8·5%), respectively. Unilateral enlargement of the nonhypersecreting adrenal gland was found in three MRI (3·5%) and 10 CT scans (12·2%) of patients who showed aldosterone hypersecretion deriving from the contralateral gland. Fifteen MRI (17·2%) and 18 CT scans (22·0%) revealed bilateral adrenal pathology despite unilateral aldosterone hypersecretion. CONCLUSION:The accuracy of CT and magnetic resonance imaging in predicting unilateral disease is poor. AVS appears to be an essential diagnostic step to identify those patients who may benefit from unilateral adrenalectomy. 10.1111/eci.12746
Computed Tomography and Adrenal Venous Sampling in the Diagnosis of Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism. Williams Tracy A,Burrello Jacopo,Sechi Leonardo A,Fardella Carlos E,Matrozova Joanna,Adolf Christian,Baudrand René,Bernardi Stella,Beuschlein Felix,Catena Cristiana,Doumas Michalis,Fallo Francesco,Giacchetti Gilberta,Heinrich Daniel A,Saint-Hilary Gaëlle,Jansen Pieter M,Januszewicz Andrzej,Kocjan Tomaz,Nishikawa Tetsuo,Quinkler Marcus,Satoh Fumitoshi,Umakoshi Hironobu,Widimský Jiří,Hahner Stefanie,Douma Stella,Stowasser Michael,Mulatero Paolo,Reincke Martin Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Unilateral primary aldosteronism is the most common surgically correctable form of endocrine hypertension and is usually differentiated from bilateral forms by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) or computed tomography (CT). Our objective was to compare clinical and biochemical postsurgical outcomes of patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism diagnosed by CT or AVS and identify predictors of surgical outcomes. Patient data were obtained from 18 internationally distributed centers and retrospectively analyzed for clinical and biochemical outcomes of adrenalectomy of patients with surgical management based on CT (n=235 patients, diagnosed from 1994-2016) or AVS (526 patients, diagnosed from 1994-2015) using the standardized PASO (Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome) criteria. Biochemical outcomes were highly different according to surgical management approach with a smaller proportion in the CT group achieving complete biochemical success (188 of 235 [80%] patients versus 491 of 526 [93%], P<0.001) and a greater proportion with absent biochemical success (29 of 235 [12%] versus 10 of 526 [2%], P<0.001). A diagnosis by CT was associated with a decreased likelihood of complete biochemical success compared with AVS (odds ratio, 0.28; 0.16-0.50; P<0.001). Clinical outcomes were not significantly different, but the absence of a postsurgical elevated aldosterone-to-renin ratio was a strong marker of complete clinical success (odds ratio, 14.81; 1.76-124.53; P=0.013) in the CT but not in the AVS group. In conclusion, patients diagnosed by CT have a decreased likelihood of achieving complete biochemical success compared with a diagnosis by AVS. 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.11382
Steroid Profiling and Immunohistochemistry for Subtyping and Outcome Prediction in Primary Aldosteronism-a Review. Holler Finn,Heinrich Daniel A,Adolf Christian,Lechner Benjamin,Bidlingmaier Martin,Eisenhofer Graeme,Williams Tracy Ann,Reincke Martin Current hypertension reports PURPOSE OF REVIEW:Steroid profiling and immunohistochemistry are both promising new tools used to improve diagnostic accuracy in the work-up of primary aldosteronism (PA) and to predict treatment outcomes. Herein, we review the recent literature and present an outlook to the future of diagnostics and therapeutic decision-making in patients with PA. RECENT FINDING:PA is the most common endocrine cause of arterial hypertension and unilateral forms of the disease are potentially curable by surgical resection of the overactive adrenal. Recent studies have shown that adrenal steroid profiling by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can be helpful for subtyping unilateral and bilateral forms of PA, classifying patients with a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) according to the presence of driver mutations of aldosterone production in APAs, and potentially predicting the outcomes of surgical treatment for unilateral PA. Following adrenalectomy, immunohistochemistry of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) in resected adrenals is a new tool to analyze "functional" histopathology and may be an indicator of biochemical outcomes after surgery. Biochemical and clinical outcomes of therapy in PA vary widely among patients. Peripheral venous steroid profiling at baseline could improve diagnostic accuracy and help in surgical decision-making in cases of a suspected APA; results of "functional" histopathology could help determine which patients are likely to need close post-surgical follow-up for persistent aldosteronism. 10.1007/s11906-019-0985-0
Influence of antihypertensive drugs in the subtype diagnosis of primary aldosteronism by adrenal venous sampling. Nagasawa Motonori,Yamamoto Koichi,Rakugi Hiromi,Takeda Masao,Akasaka Hiroshi,Umakoshi Hironobu,Tsuiki Mika,Takeda Yoshiyu,Kurihara Isao,Itoh Hiroshi,Ichijo Takamasa,Katabami Takuyuki,Wada Norio,Shibayama Yui,Yoshimoto Takanobu,Ogawa Yoshihiro,Kawashima Junji,Sone Masakatsu,Inagaki Nobuya,Takahashi Katsutoshi,Fujita Megumi,Watanabe Minemori,Matsuda Yuichi,Kobayashi Hiroki,Shibata Hirotaka,Kamemura Kohei,Otsuki Michio,Fujii Yuichi,Ogo Atsushi,Okamura Shintaro,Miyauchi Shozo,Yanase Toshihiko,Suzuki Tomoko,Kawamura Takashi,Naruse Mitsuhide, Journal of hypertension OBJECTIVES:Because of the influence on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, it is recommended to avoid, if possible, the use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, diuretics, β-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists during the diagnostic period of primary aldosteronism. A laterality index more than 4 in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated adrenal venous sampling (ACTH-AVS) is a widely used classification of the unilateral subtype that can benefit from adrenalectomy. Here, we revealed clinical features of patients taking drugs that could affect the primary aldosteronism diagnosis (DAPD) and investigated whether the classification with laterality index more than 4 in ACTH-AVS is applicable to these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS:Using a large database of primary aldosteronism patients in Japan, we analyzed 2122 patients with successful ACTH-AVS. RESULTS:Patients who received any DAPD (n = 209) showed higher prevalence of comorbidity burdens and took more antihypertensive drugs compared with patients without DAPD. In patients taking DAPD, those with laterality index more than 4 had a higher prevalence of hypokalemia, a higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio and a higher prevalence of adrenal mass than those with laterality index of 4 or less. Adrenalectomy was performed in 76% patients with laterality index more than 4 and 20% with laterality index of 4 or less. Patients who underwent adrenalectomy showed biochemical cure in 89% with laterality index more than 4 and 50% with laterality index of 4 or less (P = 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that laterality index more than 4 was an independent predictor of a biochemical cure. Biochemical cure rate in patients with laterality index more than 4 was consistently high, irrespective of the potential effect of individual DAPD on laterality index. CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that in primary aldosteronism patients to whom DAPD were administrated due to severe clinical features, laterality index more than 4 in ACTH-AVS could accurately predict a biochemical cure after adrenalectomy. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000002047
Controversies and advances in adrenal venous sampling in the diagnostic workup of primary aldosteronism. Wolley Martin,Thuzar Moe,Stowasser Michael Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is a key part of the diagnostic workup of primary aldosteronism, distinguishing unilateral from bilateral disease and determining treatment options. Although AVS is a well-established procedure, many aspects remain controversial, including optimal patient selection for the procedure and exactly how AVS is performed and interpreted. Despite the controversies, a growing body of evidence supports the use of AVS in most patients with primary aldosteronism, though some specific patient groups may be able to forego AVS and proceed directly to treatment. Although AVS remains a difficult procedure, success rates may be improved with the use of advanced CT imaging techniques and/or rapid cortisol assays. New advances in nuclear imaging and steroid profiling may also offer alternatives or adjuncts to AVS in the future. 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101400
Primary aldosteronism subtype discordance between computed tomography and adrenal venous sampling. Aono Daisuke,Kometani Mitsuhiro,Karashima Shigehiro,Usukura Mikiya,Gondo Yuko,Hashimoto Atsushi,Demura Masashi,Furukawa Kenji,Takeda Yoshiyu,Kawashiri Masaaki,Yoneda Takashi Hypertension research : official journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension The primary aldosteronism (PA) subtype is usually confirmed by CT and adrenal venous sampling (AVS). However, the subtype diagnosis by AVS is not necessarily consistent with the subtype diagnosis by CT. Patients with PA who show bilateral lesions (normal-appearing adrenals or bilateral adrenal nodules) on CT but unilateral disease on AVS are often found. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with PA subtype discordance between CT and AVS obtain benefits from unilateral adrenalectomy. We retrospectively analyzed 362 consecutive patients with PA who underwent both CT and adrenocorticotropic hormone-unstimulated AVS at Kanazawa University Hospital. Surgical outcomes for unilateral PA were evaluated according to the criteria of the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome study. In our study, the success rate of AVS in patients with bilateral lesions on CT was 89% (191/214). Furthermore, the discordance rate between CT and AVS in patients with bilateral lesions on CT was 39% (74/191). After surgery, patients with bilateral lesions on CT but unilateral disease on AVS (n = 17) had a lower complete biochemical success rate than those with unilateral lesions on CT and ipsilateral disease on AVS (n = 30) (41% vs. 80%, p = 0.01), but clinical and biochemical benefits (the complete and partial success combined) were not significantly different between them (76% vs. 93% (p = 0.11) and 70% vs. 90% (p = 0.10), respectively). In conclusion, patients with bilateral lesions on CT but unilateral disease on AVS benefited from surgery, and AVS should be performed for patients who pursue surgical management when the CT findings suggest bilateral lesions. 10.1038/s41440-019-0310-y
Sex Difference in the Association Between Subtype Distribution and Age at Diagnosis in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism. Akasaka Hiroshi,Yamamoto Koichi,Rakugi Hiromi,Nagasawa Motonori,Nakamaru Ryo,Ichijo Takamasa,Takeda Yoshiyu,Kurihara Isao,Katabami Takuyuki,Tsuiki Mika,Wada Norio,Ogawa Yoshihiro,Kawashima Junji,Sone Masakatsu,Kamemura Kohei,Yoshimoto Takanobu,Matsuda Yuichi,Fujita Megumi,Kobayashi Hiroki,Watanabe Minemori,Tamura Kouichi,Okamura Shintaro,Miyauchi Shozo,Izawa Shoichiro,Chiba Yoshiro,Tanabe Akiyo,Naruse Mitsuhide, Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension. Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is an established method for finding patients with the unilateral subtype of PA, for which adrenalectomy is an applicable treatment. In this study, we analyzed a large database of patients with PA who underwent adrenal vein sampling, to investigate the sex differences in the impact of age at diagnosis on the subtype and cause of PA. In 2122 patients, women with the unilateral subtype were younger than men with the same subtype and women with the bilateral subtype. Younger age and older age were associated with unilateral PA in women and men, respectively. After stratification by tertiles of age, there was a trend of decreased and increased incidence of unilateral PA with aging in women and men, respectively. Male sex was a predictor of unilateral PA in middle-aged and older patients but not in younger patients. We also found that obesity, a known factor associated with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, was positively associated with bilateral PA in younger patients but not in older patients. These findings suggest that the proportion of operable patients with unilateral PA differs depending on the combination of sex and age, and that other than obesity, the cause of PA is also associated with the bilateral subtype in older patients. 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.13006
A clinical prediction score for diagnosing unilateral primary aldosteronism may not be generalizable. Venos Erik S,So Benny,Dias Valerian C,Harvey Adrian,Pasieka Janice L,Kline Gregory A BMC endocrine disorders BACKGROUND:A published clinical prediction score indicated that a unilateral adrenal adenoma and either hypokalemia or an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 100 ml/min/1.73 m2 was 100% specific for unilateral primary aldosteronism. This study aimed to validate this score in a separate cohort of patients with primary aldosteronism. METHODS:A review of patients with primary aldosteronism from June 2005 to July 2013 at a single center's hypertension clinic. One hundred twelve patients with primary aldosteronism underwent successful adrenal vein sampling and the 110 patients with full data available were included in the final analysis. Adrenal vein sampling was performed all patients desiring surgery by the simultaneous collection of sample prior to and 15 minutes after a cosyntropin infusion with a 3:1 aldosterone/cortisol ratio diagnosing unilateral primary aldosteronism. The derived score was applied to the cohort. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for clinical prediction score of ≥5 points. RESULTS:There were 64 patients found to have unilateral primary aldosteronism and 48 had bilateral disease. A score ≥5 points had 64% sensitivity (95% confidence interval, 51-76) and 85% specificity (95% confidence interval, 71-94) for unilateral disease. Four patients had lateralization of primary aldosteronism to the side contralateral to the adenoma. CONCLUSIONS:The 100% specificity of the score for the unilateral origin of primary aldosteronism was not validated in this cohort with a score of ≥5 points. At best, a high score in this prediction rule may be an additional tool for helping to confirm a decision to offer patients adrenal vein sampling. 10.1186/1472-6823-14-94
Prediction of unilateral hyperaldosteronism on adrenal vein sampling using captopril challenge test in patients with primary aldosteronism. Wada Norio,Miyoshi Arina,Usubuchi Hiroaki,Terae Satoshi,Shibayama Yui,Takahashi Bunya,Baba Shuhei,Sugawara Hajime,Obara Shinji Endocrine journal Captopril challenge test (CCT) is a simple and safe confirmatory test for primary aldosteronism (PA). We investigated the effectiveness of the indices after captopril administration for prediction of unilateral hyperaldosteronism (UHA) on adrenal vein sampling (AVS). We studied 238 patients with PA who had CCT and successful AVS between July 2007 and December 2019 in Sapporo City General Hospital. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the diagnostic performance for prediction of UHA on AVS in regard to the reduction rate of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) after captopril administration was inferior to aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) and PAC (area under the ROC curve 0.72 vs. 0.84, 0.72 vs. 0.89, respectively, both p < 0.01). Based on the optimal cut-off values in ARR (897 pg/mL/ng/mL/h, sensitivity 64.6%, specificity 93.0%) and PAC (203 pg/mL, sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 93.0%) after captopril administration, the patients were divided into three groups: (1) both positive, (2) one positive, and (3) both negative. The prevalence of UHA on AVS in the three groups were 90.0%, 52.9%, and 7.3%, respectively. In the first group, 31 of 32 patients with unilateral nodular lesion on CT had an ipsilateral unilateral AVS. In conclusion, the combination of post-captopril ARR and PAC is useful for prediction of laterality diagnosis on AVS. AVS is strongly recommended in patients with both positive or one positive results for the optimal cut-off values of post-captopril ARR and PAC and is weakly recommended in patients with both negative results. 10.1507/endocrj.EJ20-0329
Primary Aldosteronism: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. Rossi Gian Paolo Journal of the American College of Cardiology Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common, but frequently overlooked, cause of arterial hypertension and excess cardiovascular events, particularly atrial fibrillation. As timely diagnosis and treatment can provide a cure of hyperaldosteronism and hypertension, even when the latter is resistant to drug treatment, strategies to screen patients for PA early with a simplified diagnostic algorithm are justified. They can be particularly beneficial in some subgroups of hypertensive patients, as those who are at highest cardiovascular risk. However, identification of the surgically curable cases of PA and achievement of optimal results require subtyping with adrenal vein sampling, which, as it is technically challenging and currently performed only in tertiary referral centers, represents the bottleneck in the work-up of PA. Measures aimed at improving the clinical use of adrenal vein sampling and at developing alternative techniques for subtyping, alongside recommendations for drug treatment, including new development in the field, and for follow-up are discussed. 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.09.057
Adrenal vein sampling versus CT scan to determine treatment in primary aldosteronism: an outcome-based randomised diagnostic trial. Dekkers Tanja,Prejbisz Aleksander,Kool Leo J Schultze,Groenewoud Hans J M M,Velema Marieke,Spiering Wilko,Kołodziejczyk-Kruk Sylwia,Arntz Mark,Kądziela Jacek,Langenhuijsen Johannes F,Kerstens Michiel N,van den Meiracker Anton H,van den Born Bert-Jan,Sweep Fred C G J,Hermus Ad R M M,Januszewicz Andrzej,Ligthart-Naber Alike F,Makai Peter,van der Wilt Gert-Jan,Lenders Jacques W M,Deinum Jaap, The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology BACKGROUND:The distinction between unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia as causes of primary aldosteronism is usually made by adrenal CT or by adrenal vein sampling (AVS). Whether CT or AVS represents the best test for diagnosis remains unknown. We aimed to compare the outcome of CT-based management with AVS-based management for patients with primary aldosteronism. METHODS:In a randomised controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients with aldosteronism to undergo either adrenal CT or AVS to determine the presence of aldosterone-producing adenoma (with subsequent treatment consisting of adrenalectomy) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (subsequent treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists). The primary endpoint was the intensity of drug treatment for obtaining target blood pressure after 1 year of follow-up, in the intention-to-diagnose population. Intensity of drug treatment was expressed as daily defined doses. Key secondary endpoints included biochemical outcome in patients who received adrenalectomy, health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and adverse events. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01096654. FINDINGS:We recruited 200 patients between July 6, 2010, and May 30, 2013. Of the 184 patients that completed follow-up, 92 received CT-based treatment (46 adrenalectomy and 46 mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) and 92 received AVS-based treatment (46 adrenalectomy and 46 mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist). We found no differences in the intensity of antihypertensive medication required to control blood pressure between patients with CT-based treatment and those with AVS-based treatment (median daily defined doses 3·0 [IQR 1·0-5·0] vs 3·0 [1·1-5·9], p=0·52; median number of drugs 2 [IQR 1-3] vs 2 [1-3], p=0·87). Target blood pressure was reached in 39 (42%) patients and 41 (45%) patients, respectively (p=0·82). On secondary endpoints we found no differences in health-related quality of life (median RAND-36 physical scores 52·7 [IQR 43·9-56·8] vs 53·2 [44·0-56·8], p=0·83; RAND-36 mental scores 49·8 [43·1-54·6] vs 52·7 [44·9-55·5], p=0·17) for CT-based and AVS-based treatment. Biochemically, 37 (80%) of patients with CT-based adrenalectomy and 41 (89%) of those with AVS-based adrenalectomy had resolved hyperaldosteronism (p=0·25). A non-significant mean difference of 0·05 (95% CI -0·04 to 0·13) in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) was found to the advantage of the AVS group, associated with a significant increase in mean health-care costs of €2285 per patient (95% CI 1323-3248). At a willingness-to-pay value of €30 000 per QALY, the probability that AVS compared with CT constitutes an efficient use of health-care resources in the diagnostic work-up of patients with primary aldosteronism is less than 0·2. There was no difference in adverse events between groups (159 events of which nine were serious vs 187 events of which 12 were serious) for CT-based and AVS-based treatment. INTERPRETATION:Treatment of primary aldosteronism based on CT or AVS did not show significant differences in intensity of antihypertensive medication or clinical benefits for patients after 1 year of follow-up. This finding challenges the current recommendation to perform AVS in all patients with primary aldosteronism. FUNDING:Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development-Medical Sciences, Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw. 10.1016/S2213-8587(16)30100-0
Primary Aldosteronism in Patients in China With Recently Detected Hypertension. Xu Zhixin,Yang Jun,Hu Jinbo,Song Ying,He Wenwen,Luo Ting,Cheng Qingfeng,Ma Linqiang,Luo Rong,Fuller Peter J,Cai Jun,Li Qifu,Yang Shumin, Journal of the American College of Cardiology BACKGROUND:A total of 44.7% adults in China have hypertension, but the prevalence of primary aldosteronism (PA) in Chinese hypertensive patients is unknown. OBJECTIVES:This study prospectively investigated the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of PA in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS:In a large community health center, consecutive hypertensive patients with an aldosterone-renin ratio >20 ng/mIU and plasma aldosterone concentration >10 ng/dl underwent captopril challenge test and/or saline infusion test for confirmation of PA. Adrenal computed tomography scan and adrenal vein sampling were used for subtyping. PA patients treated with surgery or medication were followed up for 1 year, and outcomes after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS:In total, 1,020 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were screened over 16 months, of whom 40 were diagnosed with PA, 948 with non-PA, 32 with probable PA, resulting in a prevalence of more than 4.0%. Compared with non-PA, PA patients more frequently displayed microalbuminuria (p = 0.031), but the incidence of cardiovascular events was not different (p = 0.927). For surgically treated patients (n = 7), a complete biochemical success rate was 100% and a complete clinical success rate was 85.7%. For medically treated patients (n = 29), the proportion with optimal blood pressure control was 79%, and among them, 91% (21 of 23) only needed 1 antihypertensive drug: the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of PA in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension in China was at least 4%. PA screening in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients leads to good clinical outcomes. (Primary Aldosteronism In Hypertensive Patients in China [PA-China]; NCT03155139). 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.052
Criteria for diagnosing primary aldosteronism on the basis of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determinations of plasma aldosterone concentration. Baron Stephanie,Amar Laurence,Faucon Anne-Laure,Blanchard Anne,Baffalie Laurence,Faucard Catherine,Travers Simon,Pagny Jean-Yves,Azizi Michel,Houillier Pascal Journal of hypertension BACKGROUND:Primary aldosteronism is affecting about 10% of hypertensive patients. Primary aldosteronism should be diagnosed by screening tests based on plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR), followed by confirmatory test. The cutoff values for PAC and ARR depend on PAC and plasma renin measurement methods. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the new gold standard method for aldosterone determination, is now widespread but shows lower values than immunoassays. New cutoff values have yet to be determined with LC-MS/MS PAC. METHODS:In a retrospective cohort, we measured PAC by LC-MS/MS in 93 healthy volunteers, 77 patients with essential hypertension and 82 primary aldosteronism patients (42 lateralized, 24 bilateral, 16 primary aldosteronism without adrenal vein sampling) after 30 min in a seated position. RESULTS:PAC ranged from 42 to 309 pmol/l in healthy volunteers and from 63 to 362 pmol/l in essential hypertensive patients. A cutoff value of 360 pmol/l for basal PAC had a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 95.1% to differentiate lateralized primary aldosteronism from essential hypertensive patients. ARR ranged from 2.3 to 22.3 in healthy volunteers and from 3.2 to 55.6 pmol/mU in essential hypertensive patients. Using ROC curves, we selected an ARR of 46 pmol/mU, which provided a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 93.4% to distinguish between essential hypertensive and lateralized primary aldosteronism patients (sensitivity 94.4%, specificity 93.9% for the overall primary aldosteronism population). CONCLUSION:Criteria for primary aldosteronism screening need to be adapted, given the increasing use of LC-MS/MS to determine PAC. We suggest to use 360 pmol/l and 46 pmol/mU as cutoff values, respectively, for basal PAC and ARR after 30 min of seated rest. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001735
Screening of primary aldosteronism by clinical features and daily laboratory tests: combination of urine pH, sex, and serum K. Yamashita Tomohisa,Shimizu Sayaka,Koyama Masayuki,Ohno Kouhei,Mita Tomohiro,Tobisawa Toshiyuki,Takada Akifumi,Togashi Nobuhiko,Ohnuma Yoshito,Hasegawa Tohru,Tsuchida Akihito,Endo Toshiaki,Ando Toshiaki,Yoshida Hideaki,Fukuma Shingo,Fukuhara Shunichi,Moniwa Norihito,Miura Tetsuji Journal of hypertension OBJECTIVE:To develop and validate a scoring system for selection of patients who should proceed to endocrinologic examinations of primary aldosteronism in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS:A multivariate logistic regression analysis for primary aldosteronism was undertaken by use of seven possible primary aldosteronism markers, age less than 40 years, female sex, moderate-to-severe hypertension, hypokalemia, serum Na minus Cl at least 40 mmol/l, serum uric acid 237.92 μmol/l or less (4.0 mg/dl), and urine pH (U-pH) at least 7.0, in consecutive outpatients newly diagnosed with hypertension. The diagnostic criteria of primary aldosteronism were plasma aldosterone concentration-to-plasma renin activity ratio [ARR, (ng/dl)/(ng/ml per h)] at least 20 and at least one positive result in four types of challenge tests. RESULTS:Of 130 patients, 24 were diagnosed with primary aldosteronism. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for a logistic model incorporating all possible primary aldosteronism markers was 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61-0.85]. Removing high U-pH, female sex, and hypokalemia from the full model decreased the AUC by 0.059, 0.035, and 0.011, respectively. We devised pH of urine, female sex, low serum K (PFK) score, in which one point each was assigned to high U-pH, female sex, and hypokalemia. The prevalences of primary aldosteronism in patients with 0, 1, 2, and 3 points were 11, 14, 42, and 60%, respectively. In external validation datasets (n = 106), AUC of PFK score was significantly higher than that of hypokalemia alone (0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.83 vs. 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.63, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:PFK score may be a better parameter than hypokalemia alone for identifying patients with a high probability of having primary aldosteronism. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001511
10 good reasons why adrenal vein sampling is the preferred method for referring primary aldosteronism patients for adrenalectomy. Rossi Gian Paolo,Mulatero Paolo,Satoh Fumitoshi Journal of hypertension : Nowadays most patients diagnosed with surgically curable primary aldosteronism have small or micro aldosterone-producing adenoma or unilateral micronodular hyperplasia, which are undetectable with available imaging technologies. Therefore, a negative imaging test by no means excludes unilateral primary aldosteronism. Moreover, about 10% of the subjects above the age of 35 years have nonfunctioning adrenal tumors, regardless of being hypertensive or not, with a prevalence that raises with aging. Hence, the finding of an adrenal mass at imaging does not reliably detect the culprit of primary aldosteronism. On the other hand, when primary aldosteronism patients are selected for adrenalectomy on the basis of demonstration of lateralized aldosterone excess at adrenal vein sampling (AVS), close to 100% are biochemically cured from the hyperaldosteronism, about 45% are cured of arterial hypertension and an additional 52% are markedly improved in terms of blood pressure control. By contrast, patients referred for surgery based on imaging alone often fail to reach these successful outcomes, indicating that surgery was unnecessary or, even worse, performed on the wrong side. For these reasons, and because of the lack of accurate and widely available alternative methods, all current guidelines recommend that AVS be offered to all primary aldosteronism patients with only few exceptions, mainly in patients unable or unwilling to undergo surgery and those with germ-line mutations causing familial primary aldosteronism. The main argument against systematic use of AVS entails its suboptimal performance, partly justified by its intrinsic technical difficulty, and its limited availability. This led to propose skipping AVS strategies for predicting surgically curable primary aldosteronism, but success has been inconsistent. The most urgent standing issue is, therefore, not to find loopholes to avoid AVS, but rather to improve its use, which means improving the rate of AVS success, through formal training of interventionists, selection of appropriate cutoffs and exploitation of a standardized procedure. 10.1097/HJH.0000000000001939
A novel clinical nomogram to predict bilateral hyperaldosteronism in Chinese patients with primary aldosteronism. Xiao Libin,Jiang Yiran,Zhang Cui,Jiang Lei,Zhou Weiwei,Su Tingwei,Ning Guang,Wang Weiqing Clinical endocrinology CONTEXT:Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is recommended as the gold standard for subtype classification in primary aldosteronism (PA); however, this approach has limited availability. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to develop a novel clinical nomogram to predict PA subtype based on routine variables, thereby reducing the number of candidates for AVS. PATIENTS AND METHOD:Patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 185) and a validation set (n = 79). Risk factors for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) differentiating from aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) were identified using logistic regression analysis. A nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of IHA. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and a calibration plot were applied to assess the predictive value. Then, 115 patients were prospectively enrolled, and a nomogram was used to predict the subtypes before AVS. RESULTS:Body mass index (BMI), serum potassium and computed tomography (CT) finding were adopted in the nomogram. The nomogram presented an area under the ROC (AUC) of 0.924 (95% CI: 0.875-0.957), sensitivity of 86.59% and specificity of 87.38% in the training set and an AUC of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.804-0.952), sensitivity of 82.86% and specificity of 84.09% in the validation set. Predicted probability and actual probability matched well in the nomogram (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: P > 0.05). Using the nomogram as a surrogate to predict IHA in the prospective set before AVS, the specificity reached 100% when we increased the threshold to a probability of 90%. CONCLUSION:We have developed a tool that is able to predict IHA in patients with PA and potentially avoid AVS. 10.1111/cen.13962
The Expanding Spectrum of Primary Aldosteronism: Implications for Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment. Vaidya Anand,Mulatero Paolo,Baudrand Rene,Adler Gail K Endocrine reviews Primary aldosteronism is characterized by aldosterone secretion that is independent of renin and angiotensin II and sodium status. The deleterious effects of primary aldosteronism are mediated by excessive activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor that results in the well-known consequences of volume expansion, hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis, but it also increases the risk for cardiovascular and kidney disease, as well as death. For decades, the approaches to defining, diagnosing, and treating primary aldosteronism have been relatively constant and generally focused on detecting and treating the more severe presentations of the disease. However, emerging evidence suggests that the prevalence of primary aldosteronism is much greater than previously recognized, and that milder and nonclassical forms of renin-independent aldosterone secretion that impart heightened cardiovascular risk may be common. Public health efforts to prevent aldosterone-mediated end-organ disease will require improved capabilities to diagnose all forms of primary aldosteronism while optimizing the treatment approaches such that the excess risk for cardiovascular and kidney disease is adequately mitigated. In this review, we present a physiologic approach to considering the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of primary aldosteronism. We review evidence suggesting that primary aldosteronism manifests across a wide spectrum of severity, ranging from mild to overt, that correlates with cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, we review emerging evidence from genetic studies that begin to provide a theoretical explanation for the pathogenesis of primary aldosteronism and a link to its phenotypic severity spectrum and prevalence. Finally, we review human studies that provide insights into the optimal approach toward the treatment of primary aldosteronism. 10.1210/er.2018-00139
Primary Aldosteronism: Novel Insights. Stavropoulos Konstantinos,Imprialos Konstantinos,Papademetriou Vasilios,Faselis Charles,Tsioufis Kostas,Dimitriadis Kyriakos,Doumas Michael Current hypertension reviews BACKGROUND:Primary aldosteronism is one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Patients with this endocrine syndrome are at increased cardiovascular risk, higher than hypertensive individuals with equal blood pressure levels. OBJECTIVES:The study aimed to thoroughly present and critically discuss the novel insights into the field of primary aldosteronism, focusing on the clinically meaningful aspects. METHOD:We meticulously evaluated existing data in the field of primary aldosteronism in order to summarize future perspectives in this narrative review. RESULTS:Novel data suggests that a subclinical form of primary aldosteronism might exist. Interesting findings might simplify the diagnostic procedure of the disease, especially for the localization of primary aldosteronism. The most promising progress has been noted in the field of the molecular basis of the disease, suggesting new potential therapeutic targets. CONCLUSION:Several significant aspects are at early stages of evaluation. Future research is essential to investigate these well-promising perspectives. 10.2174/1573402115666190415155512
Use of Steroid Profiling Combined With Machine Learning for Identification and Subtype Classification in Primary Aldosteronism. Eisenhofer Graeme,Durán Claudio,Cannistraci Carlo Vittorio,Peitzsch Mirko,Williams Tracy Ann,Riester Anna,Burrello Jacopo,Buffolo Fabrizio,Prejbisz Aleksander,Beuschlein Felix,Januszewicz Andrzej,Mulatero Paolo,Lenders Jacques W M,Reincke Martin JAMA network open Importance:Most patients with primary aldosteronism, a major cause of secondary hypertension, are not identified or appropriately treated because of difficulties in diagnosis and subtype classification. Applications of artificial intelligence combined with mass spectrometry-based steroid profiling could address this problem. Objective:To assess whether plasma steroid profiling combined with machine learning might facilitate diagnosis and treatment stratification of primary aldosteronism, particularly for patients with unilateral adenomas due to pathogenic KCNJ5 sequence variants. Design, Setting, and Participants:This diagnostic study was conducted at multiple tertiary care referral centers. Steroid profiles were measured from June 2013 to March 2017 in 462 patients tested for primary aldosteronism and 201 patients with hypertension. Data analyses were performed from September 2018 to August 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures:The aldosterone to renin ratio and saline infusion tests were used to diagnose primary aldosteronism. Subtyping was done by adrenal venous sampling and follow-up of patients who underwent adrenalectomy. Statistical tests and machine-learning algorithms were applied to plasma steroid profiles. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves, sensitivity, specificity, and other diagnostic performance measures were calculated. Results:Primary aldosteronism was confirmed in 273 patients (165 men [60%]; mean [SD] age, 51 [10] years), including 134 with bilateral disease and 139 with unilateral adenomas (58 with and 81 without somatic KCNJ5 sequence variants). Plasma steroid profiles varied according to disease subtype and were particularly distinctive in patients with adenomas due to KCNJ5 variants, who showed better rates of biochemical cure after adrenalectomy than other patients. Among patients tested for primary aldosteronism, a selection of 8 steroids in combination with the aldosterone to renin ratio showed improved effectiveness for diagnosis over either strategy alone. In contrast, the steroid profile alone showed superior performance over the aldosterone to renin ratio for identifying unilateral disease, particularly adenomas due to KCNJ5 variants. Among 632 patients included in the analysis, machine learning-designed combinatorial marker profiles of 7 steroids alone both predicted primary aldosteronism in 1 step and subtyped patients with unilateral adenomas due to KCNJ5 variants at diagnostic sensitivities of 69% (95% CI, 68%-71%) and 85% (95% CI, 81%-88%), respectively, and at specificities of 94% (95% CI, 93%-94%) and 97% (95% CI, 97%-98%), respectively. The validation series yielded comparable diagnostic performance. Conclusions and Relevance:Machine learning-designed combinatorial plasma steroid profiles may facilitate both screening for primary aldosteronism and identification of patients with unilateral adenomas due to pathogenic KCNJ5 variants, who are most likely to show benefit from surgical intervention. 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.16209
Aldosterone level after saline infusion test could predict clinical outcome in primary aldosteronism after adrenalectomy. Chan Chieh-Kai,Kim Jung-Hee,Chueh Eric,Chang Chin-Chen,Lin Yu-Feng,Lai Tai-Shuan,Huang Kuo-How,Lin Yen-Hung,Wu Vin-Cent, Surgery BACKGROUND:The saline infusion test is widely used as a confirmatory test for primary aldosteronism, and we hypothesized that post-saline-infusion test aldosterone levels might predict the clinical outcomes in primary aldosteronism patients after adrenalectomy. METHODS:An observational cohort study was performed. We included primary aldosteronism patients who had undergone adrenalectomy from the Taiwan Primary Aldosteronism Investigation database between 1995 and 2017. The patients were divided into the following 2 groups: the clinical success group and the resist hypertension group, according to the criteria from the Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcome consensus. RESULTS:We enrolled 236 patients with primary aldosteronism (male, 41.1%; mean age, 49.8 years). A total of 79.7% patients achieved clinical success after adrenalectomy after 12-month follow-up. The clinical success group had higher mean blood pressure, higher aldosterone-to-renin ratio, lower potassium, and lower renin levels than that of the resist hypertension group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, post saline-infusion test aldosterone levels higher than 48 ng/dL (odds ratio, 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-6.06; P = .040), body mass index less than 25 kg/m (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-4.40; P = .023) and mean blood pressure higher than 115 mmHg (odds ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-5.68; P = .005) could predict better clinical success rates after adrenalectomy in primary aldosteronism patients. CONCLUSION:Our study demonstrated that the post-saline-infusion test aldosterone level could not only confirm primary aldosteronism but also forecast clinical outcomes in primary aldosteronism patients after adrenalectomy. 10.1016/j.surg.2019.05.001