Low-grade Cortisol Cosecretion Has Limited Impact on ACTH-stimulated AVS Parameters in Primary Aldosteronism

In primary aldosteronism, cosecretion of cortisol may alter cortisol-derived adrenal venous sampling indices.

To identify whether cortisol cosecretion in primary aldosteronism alters adrenal venous sampling parameters and interpretation.

Retrospective case-control study.

A tertiary referral center.

144 adult patients with primary aldosteronism who had undergone both adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated adrenal venous sampling and dexamethasone suppression testing between 2004 and 2018.

Adrenal venous sampling indices including adrenal vein aldosterone/cortisol ratios and the selectivity, lateralization, and contralateral suppression indices.

21 (14.6%) patients had evidence of cortisol cosecretion (defined as a failure to suppress cortisol to ≤50 nmol/L post dexamethasone). Patients with evidence of cortisol cosecretion had a higher inferior vena cava cortisol concentration (P = .01) than those without. No difference was observed between the groups in terms of selectivity index, lateralization index, lateralization of aldosterone excess, or adrenal vein cannulation rate.

Cortisol cosecretion alters some parameters in adrenocorticotrophic hormone-stimulated adrenal venous sampling but does not result in alterations in patient management.