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Key Clinical Updates in Primary Aldosteronism
Finerenone is a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist with no antiandrogenic effects. Although not formally approved for aldosteronism, it can be used off-label for patients with eGFR of 25 mL/min/1.73 m2 or greater. The starting dose is 20 mg/dL if eGFR is greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 10 mg/dL if eGFR is 25–60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Higher doses are expected to be required for adequate effectiveness.
Choy KW et al. BMJ. [PMID: 35443988]
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ESSENTIALS OF DIAGNOSIS
Hypertension may be severe or drug-resistant.
Hypokalemia (in minority of patients) may cause polyuria, polydipsia, muscle weakness.
Low plasma renin; elevated plasma and urine aldosterone levels.
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GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
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Primary aldosteronism (hyperaldosteronism) refers to renin-independent, inappropriately high and nonsuppressible aldosterone secretion and is associated with adverse cardiovascular disorders. Although most affected patients have hypertension, some may be normotensive. The prevalence of primary aldosteronism is 5–10% in hypertensive patients and at least 20% in patients with resistant hypertension. Primary aldosteronism should be suspected when the patient has early-onset hypertension or stroke (before age 50 years). Primary aldosteronism and cases of low renin essential hypertension may overlap, making distinguishing between them difficult. Patients of all ages may be affected, but the peak incidence is between 30 years and 60 years. Excessive aldosterone production increases sodium retention; increases renal potassium excretion, which can lead to hypokalemia; and suppresses plasma renin. Cardiovascular events are more prevalent in patients with aldosteronism (35%) than in those with essential hypertension (11%).
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Primary aldosteronism is most frequently caused by bilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia (75%) that is more common in men with a 4:1 ratio, peaking between ages 50 and 60. Primary aldosteronism may be also caused by a unilateral aldosterone-producing adrenal cortical adenoma (Conn syndrome, 25%) that is more common in women with a 2:1 ratio, peaking between ages 30 and 50. It is important to distinguish the two, since a unilateral aldosteronoma (Conn syndrome) may be cured by surgical resection, whereas patients with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia are treated medically.
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Unilateral aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma (Conn syndrome) have been found to have somatic mutations in a gene involved with potassium channels (40%). Primary aldosterone has been caused rarely by malignant ovarian tumors. Bilateral aldosteronism may be corticosteroid-suppressible, due to an autosomal-dominant genetic defect allowing ACTH stimulation of aldosterone production.
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A. Symptoms and Signs
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Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of refractory hypertension in youths and middle-aged adults. Patients have hypertension that is typically moderate but may be severe. Some patients have only diastolic hypertension, without other symptoms and signs. Edema is rarely seen in primary aldosteronism. Hypokalemia can produce muscle weakness (at times with paralysis simulating periodic paralysis), paresthesias with tetany, headache, polyuria, and polydipsia.
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B. Laboratory Findings
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Plasma potassium should be determined ...