Primary aldosteronism and its importance to the anaesthetist

Metabolic and biochemical studies of primary aldosteronism have led to major contributions to our understanding of the metabolic effects of mineralocorticoids and the control of aldosterone in man. Our current understanding of the syndrome and the progress that has been made in its differential diagnosis, its classification into various types and the localization and lateralization of a unilateral adenoma are reviewed. The perioperative anaesthetic management is presented and specific problems of importance to the anaesthetist are discussed.