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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Primary hyperaldosteronism: effect of adrenal vein sampling on surgical outcome
Fiemu E Nwariaku1, Barbra S Miller, Richard Auchus
1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75390-9156, USA. fiemu.nwariaku@utsouthwestern.edu
Hypothesis:
Adrenal vein sampling is superior to computed tomography for subtype differentiation of primary hyperaldosteronism.
Design:
Retrospective review.
Setting:
University medical center.
Patients:
Forty-eight patients (32 men and 16 women) with biochemically confirmed primary hyperaldosteronism.
Main Outcome Measures:
We compared demographic factors, results of biochemical and imaging studies (computed tomography and adrenal vein sampling), therapy, and patient outcomes.
Results:
Mean +/- SEM adrenal nodule size was 1.54 +/- 0.2 cm. Adrenal vein sampling was performed in 41 (85%) of 48 patients, and it was successful in 39 (95%) of those 41 patients. Concordance between computed tomography and adrenal vein sampling was observed in 22 (54%) of the 41 patients. Thirty-two patients underwent successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy. There was 1 complication and no deaths. All 32 patients were cured of hypokalemia.
Conclusion:
Adrenal vein sampling is superior to image-based techniques for subtype differentiation of primary hyperaldosteronism.
