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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Electrochemiluminescence Assays for Human Islet Autoantibodies
Published on: March 23, 2018
Clinical validation for the aldosterone-to-renin ratio and aldosterone suppression testing using simultaneous fully
Jenny Manolopoulou1, Evelyn Fischer, Anna Dietz
1aImmunodiagnostic Systems Ltd, Boldon, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom bMedizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet, Munich cEndokrinologikum Berlin, Friedrichstr, Berlin, Germany dDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada eCentro di Fisiologia Clinica e Ipertensione, Università di Milano, Ospedale Policlinico,Via Francesco Sforza, Milano, Italy.
Background:
As larger numbers of hypertensive patients are screened for primary aldosteronism with the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR), automated analyzers present a practical solution for many laboratories. We report the method-specific ARR cutoff determined with direct, automated chemiluminescence immunoassays allowing the simultaneous measurement of plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs) and plasma renin concentrations (PRCs).
Methods:
Method comparisons to commonly employed assays and tandem mass spectrometry were undertaken. Patients were previously diagnosed based on the local ARR cutoff of 1.2 (ng/dl)/(μIU/ml) in samples collected in upright seated position. Lack of aldosterone suppression in response to salt load to less than 5 ng/dl confirmed primary aldosteronism. For the new assays, the optimal ARR cutoff was established in 152 patients with essential hypertension, 93 with primary aldosteronism and 147 normotensive patients. Aldosterone suppression was assessed in 73 essential hypertensive and 46 primary aldosteronism patients.
Results:
PAC and PRC were significantly correlated to values determined with currently available methods (P < 0.001). In patients with primary aldosteronism, patients with essential hypertension and controls, mean (95% confidence interval) PAC was 28.4 (25.4-31.8), 6.4 (5.9-6.9) and 6.2 (5.6-6.9) ng/dl, respectively. In the same groups, PRC was 6.6 (5.6-7.7), 12.9 (11.2-14.8) and 26.5 (22.2-31.5) μIU/ml. An ARR cutoff of 1.12 provided 98.9% sensitivity and 78.9% specificity. Employing the new assay aldosterone suppression confirmed the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension using the cutoff of 5 ng/dl.
Conclusion:
Our data demonstrate that the new assays present a convenient alternative for the measurement of PAC and PRC on a single automated analyzer. Availability of these simultaneous assays should facilitate screening and diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.
