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Published on: September 15, 2017
Comorbidities in primary aldosteronism
M Quinkler1, E Born-Frontsberg, V G Fourkiotis
1Clinical Endocrinology, Charité Campus Mitte, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany. marcus.quinkler@charite.de
Insights
Primary aldosteronism causes more cardiovascular events than essential hypertension, regardless of blood pressure. Early detection and treatment of primary aldosteronism are crucial for preventing severe complications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Nephrology
Background:
- Primary aldosteronism leads to increased cardiovascular events, independent of blood pressure levels.
- This condition necessitates early detection to prevent severe complications beyond hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review human data on end-organ damage and comorbidities associated with primary aldosteronism.
- To emphasize the impact of aldosterone excess on cardiovascular, renal, and cerebrovascular systems.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of human studies on primary aldosteronism.
- Analysis of data concerning aldosterone's effects on target organs.
Main Results:
- Primary aldosteronism is linked to disproportionately high rates of cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and renal complications.
- These complications significantly improve with long-term treatment.
Conclusions:
- Primary aldosteronism detection is vital for preventing end-organ damage.
- Adrenalectomy and aldosterone antagonists offer significant therapeutic benefits in managing comorbidities.
Abstract:
Patients presenting with primary aldosteronism experience more cardiovascular events than patients with essential hypertension independent of blood pressure. Therefore, the presence of primary aldosteronism should be detected, not only to determine the cause of hypertension, but also to prevent such complications. This review focuses on human data regarding increased end-organ damage and comorbidities in primary aldosteronism. Special emphasis is put on the effects of aldosterone excess on blood vessels, the heart, the kidney, and the brain. The data reviewed in our article demonstrate that primary aldosteronism is associated with a prevalence of cerebro-, cardiovascular and renal complications that are out of proportion to the blood pressure and benefits substantially from treatment in the long term. In this view, adrenalectomy and aldosterone antagonist treatment seem to be of considerable therapeutic value to control and limit the progression of comorbidities in primary aldosteronism.
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