Liddle's syndrome: A case report

Liddle's syndrome or pseudoaldosteronism is a rare autosomal dominant disease mimicking primary hyperaldosteronism, characterized by early-onset hypertension, hypokalemia and hypoaldosteronism, caused by excessive salt and water reabsorption in the distal nephron. As of 2008, there are <30 pedigrees or isolated cases that have been reported worldwide. We present an isolated case of a Liddle's syndrome in a 48-year-old female. A 48-year-old female presented to the clinic with palpitation and a three to four-year history of low potassium level and hypertension. She was initially treated with a high potassium diet and potassium supplements. Her cardiac work-up including echocardiography, stress test and Holter monitoring were all negative. After a few months, she was admitted to the hospital with an acute hypertensive episode and hypokalemia. On evaluation, she was found to have low renin and aldosterone levels. Liddle's syndrome was considered with the clinical picture of hypokalemia, hypertension and low renin/ aldosterone level. The patient was successfully treated with a high potassium diet, triamterene and atenolol. Liddle's syndrome should be considered as the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with the clinical picture of hypokalemia, hypertension and low renin/aldosterone level.