OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of persistent hypertension in patients who underwent adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism and to evaluate the predictive value of the aldosteronoma resolution score (ARS) scoring system for surgical outcomes of adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism from 2018 to 2021 at Peking University People' s Hospital to recognize risk factors of uncured hypertension after surgery. Based on the patient' s clinical outcomes, the patients were divided into complete success group and partial/absent success group. Risk factors for persistent hypertension were analyzed. The value of the ARS scoring system was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: In this study, 112 patients were included. Most of the patients benefited from the surgery for 94.6% were a complete or partial clinical success after follow-up for at least 6 months. According to postoperative hypertension status, the patients were divided into complete success group (51 cases) and partial/absent success group (61 cases). There were statistical differences between the two groups in age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, duration of hypertension, number of preoperative antihypertension medications, preoperative systolic blood pressure, history of diabetes, history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.111, 95%CI: 1.029-1.199), waist circumference (OR=1.073, 95%CI: 1.013-1.137), pre-operative systolic blood pressure (OR=1.033, 95%CI: 1.008-1.060) and history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (OR=16.061, 95%CI: 1.312-196.612) were the risk factors for uncured hypertension in primary aldosteronism patients after surgery, but female gender not. The median ARS in the complete success group was 4 and in the partial/absent success group, it was 2. Among the patients with ARS of 4-5, the cure rate of hypertension was 76.5%. The area under the curve of ARS was 0.743. CONCLUSION The history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is a significant risk factor for persistent hypertension after surgery in primary aldosteronism patients. ARS scoring system has a certain value in predicting the postoperative hypertension status of primary aldosteronism patients. However, further research is still needed on a prediction model for surgical outcomes of primary aldosteronism which is more suitable for the Chinese population is still needed.
Adrenalectomy/adverse effects* ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/surgery* ; Hypertension/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A relationship between renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been suggested, but not elucidated clearly. We examined the levels of RAS components in patients with and without MetS and their association with MetS in Korean population. METHODS: This study was approved by the review boards of the participating institutions and endorsed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis. We screened 892 Koreans aged ≥20 years who underwent evaluation of hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia at 6 tertiary hospitals in 2015–2016. After excluding patients who were taking diuretics, β-blockers, or RAS blockers, or suspected of primary aldosteronism, 829 individuals were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters including aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone-to-PRA ratio were evaluated. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were used for evaluating insulin resistance. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 52.8±12.8 years, 56.3% were male, and their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 133.9±20.0 and 81.2±14.6 mmHg, respectively. The levels of serum aldosterone, but not PRA, were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than in those without (20.6±33.6 vs. 15.3±12.2 ng/dL, p < 0.05), and positively correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin. The levels of aldosterone were independently associated with the number of MetS components and HOMA-IR after adjusting for conventional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Serum aldosterone levels were higher in Korean adults with MetS than in those without. This finding suggests that increased aldosterone level might be closely associated with insulin resistance.
Adult ; Aldosterone ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Diuretics ; Dyslipidemias ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Plasma ; Renin ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Bartter syndrome (BS) is an inherited renal tubular disorder characterized by low or normal blood pressure, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, and hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism. Type III BS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in CLCNKB encoding basolateral ClC-Kb. The clinical phenotype of patients with CLCNKB mutations has been known to be highly variable, and cases that are difficult to categorize as type III BS or other hereditary tubulopathies, such as Gitelman syndrome, have been rarely reported. We report a case of a 10-year-old Korean boy with atypical clinical findings caused by a novel CLCNKB mutation. The boy showed intermittent muscle cramps with laboratory findings of hypokalemia, severe hypomagnesemia, and nephrocalcinosis. These findings were not fully compatible with those observed in cases of BS or Gitelman syndrome. The CLCNKB mutation analysis revealed a heterozygous c.139G>A transition in exon 13 [p.Gly(GGG)465Glu(GAG)]. This change is not a known mutation; however, the clinical findings and in silico prediction results indicated that it is the underlying cause of his presentation.
Alkalosis ; Bartter Syndrome ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; Computer Simulation ; Exons ; Gitelman Syndrome ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypokalemia ; Male ; Muscle Cramp ; Nephrocalcinosis ; Phenotype*

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited renal disease. Hypertension is common and occurs before decline in renal function. However, the coexistence of hypertension and hypokalemia is rare in ADPKD patients. We report on a 32-year-old woman with secondary aldosteronism. Magnetic resonance imaging of the renal arteries revealed multiple cysts of varying sizes in both the kidneys and the liver, compatible with ADPKD. Increased reninangiotensin-aldosterone system activity was secondary to cyst expansion. After initiation of angiotensin II receptor blocker, her blood pressure was controlled without additional requirement of potassium.
Adult ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Blood Pressure ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension* ; Hypokalemia ; Kidney ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* ; Potassium ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Renal Artery

Secondary hypertension occurs in a significant proportion of adult patients (~10%). In young patients, renal causes (glomerulonephritis) and coarctation of the aorta should be considered. In older patients, primary aldosteronism, obstructive sleep apnoea and renal artery stenosis are more prevalent than previously thought. Primary aldosteronism can be screened by taking morning aldosterone and renin levels, and should be considered in patients with severe, resistant or hypokalaemia-associated hypertension. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea should be sought. Worsening of renal function after starting an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor suggests the possibility of renal artery stenosis. Recognition, diagnosis and treatment of secondary causes of hypertension lead to good clinical outcomes and the possible reversal of end-organ damage, in addition to blood pressure control. As most patients with hypertension are managed at the primary care level, it is important for primary care physicians to recognise these conditions and refer patients appropriately.
Aldosterone ; blood ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Aortic Coarctation ; complications ; diagnosis ; Blood Pressure ; Glomerulonephritis ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; diagnosis ; Hypertension ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Primary Health Care ; methods ; Referral and Consultation ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; drug therapy ; Renin ; blood ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications

A substantial proportion of adrenal incidentalomas demonstrates subtle hormonal hypersecretion; however, adenomas that cosecrete aldosterone and cortisol are rare. We here report a case of an adrenal mass that was incidentally detected on a computed tomography scan in a 57-year-old man. The patient had a 10-year history of diabetes mellitus and a 5-year history of hypertension. Evaluation revealed hyperaldosteronemia with an elevated plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio, hypokalemia, unsuppressed cortisol after dexamethasone administration, and elevated urinary free cortisol concentration. The appearance of the right adrenalectomy specimen indicated adrenal adenoma. Postoperatively, the blood glucose and blood pressure control improved and the urinary cortisol and aldosterone-to-renin ratio normalized. A complete endocrine evaluation in patients with incidentally discovered adrenal masses should be performed, even if the patient has a long-standing history of hypertension and diabetes, to avoid any postoperative adrenal crises.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Adenoma* ; Aldosterone* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Dexamethasone ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Middle Aged ; Plasma

BACKGROUNDHypertension often persists after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA). Many studies have analyzed the outcomes of adrenalectomy for aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) to identify predictive factors for persistent hypertension. However, differentially expressed genes in persistent postoperative hypertension remain unknown. Our aim was to describe gene expression profile of persistent postoperative hypertension patients with APA.

METHODSIn this study, we described and compared gene expression profiles in persistent postoperative hypertension and postoperative normotension in Chinese patients with APA using microarray analysis. Confirmation was performed with quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Bioinformatic analysis (gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis and network analysis) was used for further research.

RESULTSMicroarray analysis identified a total of 99 differentially expressed genes, including 18 up-regulated and 81 down-regulated genes. Among the dysregulated genes were fat atypical cadherin 1 as well as fatty acid binding protein 4 and other genes that have not been previously studied in persistent postoperative hypertension with APA. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that differentially expressed genes were associated with lipid metabolic process, metal ion binding, and cell differentiation. Pathway analysis determined that five pathways corresponded to the dysregulated transcripts. The mRNAs-ncRNAs co-expression network was composed of 49 network nodes and 72 connections between 18 coding genes and 31 noncoding genes.

CONCLUSIONSThis study revealed differentially expressed genes in persistent postoperative hypertension with APA and provided a resource of candidate genes for exploration of possible drug targets and prognostic markers.

Adenoma ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Adrenalectomy ; Aldosterone ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; methods ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

The simultaneous occurrence of renovascular hypertension and an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma is a rare entity. Here, we report the case of a 52-year-old female who had a coexisting aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma and ipsilateral renal artery stenosis. She was diagnosed with the aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma and then underwent a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. Her blood pressure was uncontrolled after the adrenalectomy. Selective renal angiography showed left renal artery stenosis; thus, she underwent balloon angioplasty at the same sitting. Subsequently, her blood pressure returned to normal after administration of a single antihypertensive drug. This case suggests that it is important to recognize the possible coexistence of renal artery stenosis in a patient with an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma.
Adenoma* ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; Angiography ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery Obstruction*

A 31-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with symptoms of hypertension and bilateral adrenocortical masses with no feature of Cushing syndrome. The serum aldosterone/renin ratio was elevated and the saline loading test showed no suppression of the plasma aldosterone level, consistent with a diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism. Overnight and low-dose dexamethasone suppression tests showed no suppression of serum cortisol, indicating a secondary diagnosis of subclinical Cushing syndrome. Adrenal vein sampling during the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test demonstrated excess secretion of cortisol from the left adrenal mass. A partial right adrenalectomy was performed, resulting in normalization of blood pressure, hypokalemia, and high aldosterone level, implying that the right adrenal mass was the main cause of the hyperaldosteronism. A total adrenalectomy for the left adrenal mass was later performed, resulting in a normalization of cortisol level. The final diagnosis was bilateral adrenocortical adenomas, which were secreting aldosterone and cortisol independently. This case is the first report of a concurrent cortisol-producing left adrenal adenoma and an aldosterone-producing right adrenal adenoma in Korea, as demonstrated by adrenal vein sampling and sequential removal of adrenal masses.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; Adult ; Aldosterone* ; Blood Pressure ; Cushing Syndrome ; Dexamethasone ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Hypokalemia ; Korea ; Plasma ; Veins

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is now widely recognized to have a higher prevalence than was once thought. In view of its increasing prevalence, we compared chronological changes in clinical manifestations of PA according to different times of diagnosis. METHODS: In total, 85 patients diagnosed with PA from January 1986 through March 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, based on their medical records. During two periods-1986 to 2005 and 2006 to 2012-41 and 44 patients, respectively, were diagnosed with PA. We compared the clinical and biological characteristics of PA between these periods. RESULTS: The results demonstrate an increasing trend in the prevalence of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA; p = 0.19). In the 2006 to 2012 period, patients with PA presented with higher serum potassium levels at the time of diagnosis than in the 1986 to 2005 period (p < 0.0002). Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was performed mostly in the latter period (82.3%) and the diagnostic accuracy of adrenal computed tomography, compared with AVS, was only 56.2%. About 78.0% versus 86.3% of patients had at least one target organ damage (TOD) in the 1986 to 2005 and 2006 to 2012 periods, respectively (p = 0.39). However, patients with TOD were older and had longer durations of hypertension than patients without, in both periods. CONCLUSIONS: PA is becoming more prevalent. There was an increasing tendency for IHA, and more PA patients presented with normokalemia than in the earlier period. Early and accurate diagnosis of PA with AVS and proper treatment should have substantial prognostic value.
Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Adrenal Glands/radiography ; Adrenocortical Adenoma/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Adult ; Biological Markers/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/blood/*diagnosis/epidemiology/therapy ; Hyperkalemia/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Potassium/blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome