Hiperaldosteronismo primario en una población de pacientes hipertensos / Primary hyperaldosteronism in a population of hypertensive patients

El diagnóstico de hiperaldosteronismo primario (HPAP) aumentó en los últimos años y algunos autores lo consideran la principal causa de hipertensión arterial secundaria. Estudiamos la prevalencia de HPAP en el total de pacientes hipertensos atendidos en la Unidad de Hipertensión Arterial, en el período comprendido entre julio 1999 a julio 2017. Se incluyeron 2500 pacientes y en 79 se diagnosticó HPAP (3.2%). El HPAP fue más frecuente en mujeres (55.7%), observándose un incremento en la edad geriátrica con relación a estudios previos (27.8%). El diagnóstico se sospechó ante la presencia de kaliuria inapropiada y alcalosis metabólica, acompañada de un cociente aldosterona/actividad de renina plasmática superior a 30 (ng/dl)/(ng/ ml/h). Tras su confirmación se realizaron estudios de imagen para determinar la etiología. Se detectaron así 29 casos (36.8%) de adenomas productores de aldosterona y 5 de hiperplasia bilateral suprarrenal con nódulos. La tomografía computarizada identificó el 100% de los adenomas y de las hiperplasias con nódulos corticales bilaterales. El tratamiento con suprarrenalectomía y/o antialdosterónicos resultó eficaz en el control de la presión arterial en el 69.9% de los casos. Se comentan aspectos particulares de esta serie, como la remisión de la insuficiencia renal, la elevada presencia de litiasis urinaria hipercalciúrica y la detección de un carcinoma de mama tras dosis prolongadas de espironolactona.

The diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHPA) has progressively increased over the last years and some authors consider it as the main cause of secondary hypertension. We studied the prevalence of PHPA in hypertensive patients followed at the Hypertension Unit from July 1999 to July 2017. A total of 2500 patients were included and diagnosis of PHPA was done in 79 of them (3.2%). It was more frequent in women (55.7%) with an increased incidence in the elderly, as compared to previous studies (27.8%). Initial diagnosis was suspected upon the presence of inappropriate kaliuria and metabolic alkalosis, associated to an aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio > 30 (ng/dl)/(ng/ml/h). After confirmation of the presence of PA, imaging techniques to determine the etiology were performed. In this way, 29 cases (36.8%) of aldosterone-producing adenoma and 5 cases of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia with nodules were identified. Computed tomography identified the adenomas and hyperplasias with bilateral cortical nodules in all patients. Adrenalectomy and/o r antialdosteronics were efficient in controlling blood pressure in 69.9% of cases. Of note in this series was the remission of stage 3 chronic renal failure in two cases, the high prevalence of hypercalciuric urinary lithiasis and a case of breast carcinoma after prolonged treatment with spironolactone.

Diagnosis, treatment and progress of primary aldosteronism in China / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Primary aldosteronism is an important cause of secondary hypertension with the prevalence of 10%-20%in hypertensive patients. Compared with essential hypertension, primary aldosteronism patients have more cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. In this article, we will make a discussion on the development and current situation of primary aldosteronism by means of its prevalence, case detection, case confirmation, subtype classification, treatment and basic research.

Plasma renin activity and risk of cardiovascular and mortality outcomes among individuals with elevated and nonelevated blood pressure

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate plasma renin activity (PRA) levels and risk of mortality and cardiovascular events among individuals with elevated blood pressure [systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg] and those with controlled blood pressure (SBP < 140 mmHg) in a large diverse population. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2013, among adults (≥ 18 years) within an integrated health system was conducted. Subjects were categorized by SBP into 2 groups: SBP < 140 mmHg and SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and then further categorized into population-based PRA tertiles within each SBP group. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios for cardiovascular and mortality outcomes among tertiles of PRA levels. RESULTS: Among 6,331 subjects, 32.6% had SBP ≥ 140 mmHg. Multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval for PRA tertiles T2 and T3 compared to T1 in subjects with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg were 1.42 (0.99–2.03) and 1.61 (1.12–2.33) for ischemic heart events; 1.40 (0.93–2.10) and 2.23 (1.53–3.27) for congestive heart failure; 1.10 (0.73–1.68) and 1.06 (0.68–1.66) for cerebrovascular accident; 1.23 (0.94–1.59) and 1.43 (1.10–1.86) for combined cardiovascular events; and 1.39 (0.97–1.99) and 1.35 (0.92–1.97) for all-cause mortality, respectively. Among the SBP < 140 mmHg group, there was no relationship between PRA levels and outcomes. CONCLUSION: Higher PRA levels demonstrated increased risk for ischemic heart events and congestive heart failure and a trend toward higher mortality among individuals with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg but not among those with SBP < 140 mmHg.

Rol del laboratorio en el diagnóstico del hiperaldosteronismo primario / Laboratory Role in the Diagnosis of Primary Aldosteronism

El aldosteronismo primario se considera actualmente el causante de un 8 a 12 % de los casos de hipertensión arterial. El aumento de su prevalencia es consecuencia de cambios en los criterios diagnósticos. El tamizaje inicial se realiza en el laboratorio determinando la relación aldosterona/actividad de renina plasmática, para lo que se requieren estrictas condiciones preanalíticas; condiciones de reposo o deambulación, evitando interferencias de drogas terapéuticas que pueden afectar el resultado, de obtención y de conservación de la muestra, entre otras. Debido a la alta variabilidad en la medición de la actividad de renina plasmática, (radioinmunoensayo operador dependiente), se está proponiendo el uso de la relación aldosterona/concentración de renina, (donde la concentración de renina se determina por un método automatizado) aunque aún no hay consenso. El método de tamizaje es fundamental para el inicio del estudio de un paciente e influye en la prevalencia actual. Una vez establecidos los valores de corte para cada laboratorio, los pacientes con tamizajes positivos deben ser sometidos a pruebas confirmatorias, por ejemplo sobrecarga con sodio, o supresión con fludrocortisona, para evidenciar la secreción autónoma de aldosterona. Una vez confirmada se debe diferenciar la causa; las principales son adenoma productor de aldosterona e hiperplasia adrenal bilateral. El diagnóstico temprano permite el tratamiento correcto, evitando comorbilidades causadas por la hipertensión arterial (HTA) y remodelaciones vasculares y cardíacas por el exceso de aldosterona. Los tratamientos clásicos para la HTA no siempre son de utilidad en el aldosteronismo primario, por ello es importante el diagnóstico de la patología.

Primary aldosteronism is nowadays considered the cause of 8 to 12 % cases of hypertension. The increase in its prevalence is due to changes in diagnostic criteria. Initial screening is performed in the laboratory by obtaining the aldosterone to plasma renin activity ratio, for which strict preanalytical conditions are required, including; supine or upright posture; interaction of therapeutic drugs which may alter results; sample extraction and conservation, among others. Given the high variability in the measurement of plasma renin activity and its complexity (RIA), the use of the aldosterone to renin concentration ratio is proposed (where renin concentration is determined by an automated immunoassay), although no consensus has been reached in this matter. The screening method is essential to primarily identify those patients who should be further studied, and it influences the statistics on actual prevalence of primary aldosteronism. Once cutoff values have been determined for each laboratory, patients with positive screening results must be further submitted for confirmation tests, such as salt-loading test or fludrocortisone suppression test, in which the autonomous secretion of aldosterone is confirmed. Then, the cause of the excessive aldosterone production must be determined. The most common are aldosterone producing adenoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Early diagnosis allows for the correct treatment, minimizing comorbidities caused by hypertension and by vascular and cardiac remodelation due to the excess of aldosterone. Classic treatment for hypertension is not always useful in patients with primary aldosteronism; this is why it is important to know how to diagnose the underlying pathology.

Dietary potassium intake and renal handling, and their impact on the cardiovascular health of normotensive Afro-Caribbeans / Ingesta dietética de potasio y manejo renal, y su impacto en la salud cardiovascular de los normotensos Afrocaribeños

OBJECTIVE: Recent nutritional profiles of dietary intake have indicated a shift from the ancient diet to the Western diet. The ancient diet provided high potassium and low sodium intake, which in turn led to sodium conservation and potassium excretion. This change in the dietary intake is expected to affect potassium and sodium handling in the kidneys. Numerous studies have been done to emphasize the importance of sodium handling by the kidneys and its impact on cardiovascular health . This study will investigate potassium intake and handling, and its impact on the cardiovascular health of a sample of normotensive Afro-Caribbeans by the possible modulation of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS). METHODS: A sample of 51 normotensive Afro-Caribbean participants was recruited for the study. Participants were observed over a two-day period in which they were given a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitor and a container to collect blood pressure data and a 24-hour urine sample. Anthropometric measurements were noted. Urinary electrolytes and supine plasma renin activity (PRA) were determined from the 24-hour urine collection and a blood sample. Dietary potassium intake was estimated based on dietary intake observations, and calculated based on the urinary potassium excretion. SPSS version 19 was used to analyse the data to make inferences. RESULTS: The daily potassium intake was observed to be 2.95 g/day and measured intake from the urinary potassium was between 4.95 and 7.32 g/day. Urinary potassium excretion was 3.66 (± 1.40) g/day. The urinary potassium excretion in the Afro-Caribbean sample in Barbados was higher than the other population samples. The averaged PRA of the participants (supine) was 0.778 (± 1.072) ng/mL/hour. The averaged nocturnal systolic blood pressure dip of the participants was 5.97 (± 4.324) %. There was no significant correlation between urinary potassium excretion, blood pressure, nocturnal systolic blood pressure dip and PRA. CONCLUSIONS: The Afro-Caribbean sample has an inadequate daily potassium intake based on the observed intake and recommended values, with a high urinary excretion of the electrolyte compared to other values in the literature. This high potassium excretion could have been partly due to low plasma renin activity levels in the study participants. As a possible consequence, an increase in the nocturnal peripheral resistance is a likely cause for the diminished systolic dip. The lack of correlations between dietary potassium excretion and the blood pressure parameters does not allow any firm inference of the electrolyte's handling and its impact on cardiovascular health in the normotensive Afro-Caribbean participants. However, further research is needed to get a more accurate daily potassium intake value, and a more statistically robust sample to assess whether potassium handling and blood pressure would be affected by a change in potassium intake.

OBJETIVO: Los perfiles nutricionales recientes de ingesta dietética han indicado un cambio de la dieta antigua a la dieta occidental. La dieta antigua ofrecía un consumo alto de potasio frente a un consumo bajo de sodio, lo que a su vez llevaba a la conservación del sodio y a la excreción del potasio. Se espera que este cambio en la ingesta dietética afecte el manejo del potasio y el sodio en los riñones. Se han realizado numerosos estudios con el fin de enfatizar la importancia del manejo del sodio por los riñones y su impacto en la salud cardiovascular. Este estudio investigará la ingesta y manejo del potasio, y su impacto en la salud cardiovascular de una muestra de normotensos afrocaribeños mediante la posible modulación del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (SRAA). MÉTODOS: Una muestra de 51 participantes normotensos afrocaribeños fue reclutada para el estudio. Los participantes fueron puestos bajo observación por un período de dos días, en los que recibieron un monitor ambulatorio para registrar la presión arterial por 24 horas, y un recipiente para recoger los datos de la presión arterial, y una muestra de orina de 24 horas. Se observaron las mediciones antropométricas. Los electrolitos urinarios y la actividad de renina plasmática (ARP) en posición supina, se determinaron a partir de la orina de 24 horas y una muestra de sangre. La ingesta dietética de potasio fue estimada en base a las observaciones hechas de la ingesta dietética, y se calculó a partir de la excreción del potasio urinario. La versión 19 del SPSS fue utilizada para analizar los datos y hacer inferencias. RESULTADOS: Se observó una ingestión diaria de potasio de 2.95 g/día, y la ingestión medida a partir del potasio urinario estuvo entre 4.95 y 7,32 g/día. La excreción del potasio urinario fue 3.66 (± 1.40) g/día. La excreción del potasio urinario en la muestra afrocaribeña en Barbados fue mayor que en las otras poblaciones. La actividad ARP promedio (supina) de los participantes fue 0.778 (± 1.072) ng/mL/hora. La caída nocturna promedio de la presión arterial sistólica de los participantes fue (± 4.324) 5.97%. No hubo ninguna correlación significativa entre la excreción del potasio urinario, la presión arterial, la caída nocturna de la presión arterial sistólica, y la actividad ARP. CONCLUSIONES: Partiendo de la base del consumo observado y los valores recomendados, la muestra afrocaribeña presenta una ingesta diaria inadecuada de potasio, con una alta excreción urinaria de electrólito, en comparación con otros valores en la literatura. Esta elevada excreción de potasio podría haberse debido en parte a niveles bajos de actividad de renina plasmática en los participantes del estudio. Una posible consecuencia es el aumento de la resistencia periférica nocturna como causa probable del descenso sistólico. La falta de correlación entre los parámetros de la presión arterial y la excreción de potasio dietético no permite ninguna inferencia sólida del manejo del electrólito y su impacto sobre la salud cardiovascular en los normotensos afrocaribeños participantes. Sin embargo, es necesario investigar más a fin de obtener un valor más exacto de la ingesta diaria de potasio y una muestra estadísticamente más sólida para evaluar si el manejo del potasio y la presión arterial podrían ser afectados por un cambio en la ingesta de potasio.

Clinical efficacy of captopril combined with amlodipine in hypertension patients of the influence of high noise / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To observed the clinical efficacy of captopril combined with amlodipine in hypertension patients of the influence of high noise.Methods A total of 150 hypertension patients who worked in ＞ 110 dB noise were divided into treatment group 1 (75 cases) and treatment group 2 (75 cases) by random digits table.Patients simply took enalapril in treatment group 1,patients took enalapril combined with amlodipine in treatment group 2.Selected 75 cases common hypertension patients were control group,they took enalapril combined with amlodipine.A year later,compared with three groups of plasma renin activity (PRA) and clinical efficacy.Results The PRA and efficient rate had no significant difference among three groups in half ayear (P ＞0.05).A year later,the PRA and efficient rate in treatment group 2 and treatment group 1 had obvious difference [(1.89 ± 0.37) ng/ (ml· h) vs.(2.40 ± 0.38) ng/ (ml· h),90.67 ％ (68/75) vs.72.00 ％ (54/75)] (P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01).But compared with control group no significant difference (P ＞0.05).Conclusion The clinical efficacy of captopril combined with amlodipine in hypertension patients is more apparent.

Primary Aldosteronism / 대한내과학회지

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by inappropriately high production of aldosterone relatively autonomous from the renin-angiotensin system and no suppression by sodium loading. The prevalence of PA is estimated more than 10% among nonseleted hypertensive patients. PA is clinically very important since patients with PA have higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than age- and sex-matched patients with essential hypertension and the same degree of blood pressure elevation. The ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity (ARR) has been generally accepted as a first-line screening test. ARR might be affected by patient age, anti-hypertensive drugs, posture and menstrual cycles. Once the ARR is measured, confirmative test should be performed. Although a gold standard confirmative test for PA is not yet identified, intravenous saline loading test is widely used. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is a gold standard for differentiation of unilateral from bilateral forms of PA. Since adrenal CT imaging has limitations to accurate diagnosis of PA, AVS is recommended for all patients who wish to pursue surgical treatment. Although unilateral laparoscopic adernalectomy is the optimal treatment for patients with aldosterone producing adenoma or unilateral hyperplasia, strong evidence linking adernalectomy with improved quality of life, morbidity or mortality is not available. Mneralocorticoid receptor antagonists, spironolactone or eplerenone, are recommended for pharmacologic therapy of PA.

Clinical analysis of 330 patients with primry aldosteronism / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

The clinical data of 330 patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) from January 2006 to March 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The prevalence of 1, 2, and 3 stage hypertension in these subjects was 3.64％,20. 91％, and 75.45 ％, respectively. Of all PA patients, 89.09％ were young adults and 81.82％ were overweight or obese. There was a marked preponderance of male patients in the overweight or obese group ( P＜0. 01 ). The incidence of hypokalemia was 32. 12％. The concentration of serum potassium was not associated with the disease course. Logistic regression showed that the concentration of plasma aldosterone was an independent risk factor of hypokalemia in PA patients( P＜0. 01 ). 79. 09％ PA patients presented the plasma aldosterone level over 12 ng/dl and the renin activity level of less than 1 ng · ml-1 · h-1. The aldosterone-to-rennin activity ratio was ＞20 in 94.24％ of the patients with PA.

Determinación del valor de corte de la relación aldosterona/actividad de renina plasmática para la detección de hiperaldosteronismo primario en hipertensión arterial esencial: estudio multicéntrico / Determination of the Aldosterone/Plasma Renin Activity Ratio for the Screening of Primary Hyperaldosteronism in Essential Hypertension: a Multicentric Study

El hiperaldosteronismo primario (HAP) es una afección caracterizada por la producción inapropiadamente elevada y una relativa autonomía del sistema renina-angiotensina. Estimaciones previas, basadas sólo en la evaluación de hipertensos con hipokalemia, consideraban al HAP como una causa poco frecuente de hipertensión (1%). Sin embargo, estudios actuales fundamentados en el cálculo de la relación aldosterona/ actividad de renina plasmática (RAA) arrojan una incidencia mayor (5-10%), siendo la hipertensión arterial (HTA) normokalémica la presentación más frecuente. Dada la amplitud de los valores de corte de la RAA, el Departamento de Suprarrenal de SAEM diseñó un estudio multicéntrico prospectivo en una población de Argentina con el objetivo de establecer nuestro propio valor y determinar así la prevalencia de HAP. Fueron estudiados 353 individuos de ambos sexos, 104 controles normotensos, sin antecedentes familiares de HTA y 249 pacientes hipertensos. Se indicó dieta normosódica y la suspensión de antihipertensivos que interfieran con el eje mineralocorticoideo. Las determinaciones de la actividad de renina plasmática (ARP), DIA-SorinRIA, y de aldosterona, RIA-DPC, fueron realizadas en un único laboratorio. Se realizó ionograma y se evaluaron parámetros clínicos y bioquímicos de síndrome metabólico. La RAA calculada según el percentilo 95 en los controles, fue establecida en la cifra de 36 como valor de corte para sospechar HAP en los hipertensos, requiriéndose una concentración de aldosterona >15 ng/ml. Con una RAA≥36, se realizaron pruebas confirmatorias de sobrecarga salina o de fludrocortisona. La RAA fue ≥36 en 31/249 pacientes, confirmándose HAP en 8 (7 adenomas y 1 hiperplasia), con una prevalencia del 3.2%. Los restantes no completaron estudios confirmatorios. La presencia de síndrome metabólico fue similar en los hipertensos con y sin HAP. En conclusión, este primer estudio multicéntrico argentino determinó nuestro valor de corte de la RAA en 36. Su aplicación permitió establecer una prevalencia de HAP del 3,2% que, aunque podría estar subestimada, resulta significativamente mayor que la previa histórica y concuerda con la incidencia referida en la bibliografía.

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) or Conn's disease was classically suspected in the presence of hypertension (H) and hypokalemia. It was previously considered as a rare cause of H, being reported in only 1% of hypertensive patients. It can be caused by an adrenal adenoma (the former usual presentation) or by adrenal hyperplasia. But since the use of the aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio (AAR) as the screening method in the last years, it is currently considered as almost the most frequent cause of secondary H., accounting for 5-10% of essential H. Plasma rennin activity (PRA) determination is a laborious procedure with low reproducibility and it directly affects the AAR; thus each laboratory must assess its own cut-off value. Therefore, in the Adrenal Department of the Argentine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SAEM), we performed this multicentric prospective study of a population of Argentina with the aim of assessing our own AAR cut-off level in normotensive controls in order to apply it for PHA screening in essential hypertensive patients. We studied 353 adult subjects: 104 controls, aged 45,18 ± 13,78 years-old ( X±SD), with no history of arterial hypertension in their first-degree relatives and with two separate day-registry of blood pressure≤ 139/85 mmHg and 249 hypertensive patients, aged 51± 13,6 years-old ( X ± SD), with arterial blood pressure≥ 140/90 mmHg in the sitting position. Subjects with cardiac, renal, hepatic and neurological diseases were excluded as well as those with Cushing´s syndrome, hyperthyroidism, untreated hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus and patients under glucocorticoids, oral contraceptive pills or estrogen therapy. A normal sodium diet was indicated and potassium was supplemented when needed. Blood was withdrawn between 8 and 10:00 a.m. with the subjects in the upright position. Aldosterone (A) was determined by DPC radioimmunoassay (RIA) and PRA, by DIA-Sorin RIA. The A normal levels are 4-30 ng/dl for ambulatory individuals on a normal sodium diet and the PRA normal values are < 3,3 ng/ml/h. In order to avoid false positive results in the hypertensive group, AAR was calculated when A was above 15 ng/dl. We measured the waist circumference and we determined the body mass index. Blood sodium, potassium, calcium, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride and liver function tests were performed. Statistical Analysis and Results Since the AAR variable showed a non-normal distribution, the cut-off value was considered as the 95th percentile in the control group, which was calculated as 36. This is also in accordance to the function of the empirical distribution of Collings and Hamilton. In our 249 hypertensive patients, 31 had an AAR ≥ 36. PHA was confirmed in 8: seven has an adrenal adenoma and one had hyperplasia. The prevalence of PHA in our population was 3,2 %, with a 95th confidence interval ranging from 1,4 to 6,2 %. In the remaining 23 patients, confirmatory tests could not be completed. There was no correlation between the severity of the hypertension and the AAR value, with no statistical significant differences between those with or without PHA. Likewise, we found no correlation between PRA and advancing age. In hypertensive patients, metabolic syndrome was more prevalent than in controls, but it was present to the same extent in those with or without PHA. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first multicentric study performed in Argentina to determine the aldosterone/ plasma renin activity ratio in our normotensive control population. Our AAR value of 36 agrees with the levels reported in the international literature: thus an AAR ≥ 36 along with an aldosterone ≥ 15 ng/ml in hypertensive patients lead us to suspect PHA and to perform confirmatory tests. Applying these criteria, we found a prevalence of 3,2% of PHA in essential HTA. It is possible that this value may be underestimated due to the fact that confirmatory tests could not be completed in all the hypertensive subjects with an AAR≥ 36. In spite of this, our prevalence is significantly greater than the historical one and it lies in the range reported in the literature.

Effects of using distal protection device on neuroendocrine in patients with acute myocardial infarction / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To study changes of neuroendocrine in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) after using distal protection device (GuardWire PlusTM). Method Seventy patients with STEMI received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Municipal Hospital Qingdao, during September 2004 to December 2006. They were randomdy (random numbs) enrolled in this prospective and control study. All the patients were divided into 2 groups: the distal protection device group (GW) and the non-distal protection device group (NGW).The inclusion criteria were:onset within 6 hours, chest pain more than 30 minutes without response to nitroglycerin, two or more adjacent ST segnents elevated over 0.2 mv,the proximal or middle diameter of infarction artery over 3 mm, and the increased plasma creatine kinase. The exclusion criteria were fluctuation in hemodynamics, severe heart failure, arteriopathy of left main coronary artery, mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction and multi-vessel disease scheduled for coronary artery bypass. The plasma levels of endothelin(ET) , plasma renin activity (PRA),aldosterone (ALD),angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ), norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) were measured on the day of operation and on the 1st,2nd,3rd and 5th day after operation, respectively. The t-test was used to compare those neuroendocrine elements between two groups. Results There were no differences in plasma levels of all the neuroendocrine elements between two groups before operation. Compared with the NGW group, the levels of neuroendocrine elements in the plasma rapidly decreased in the GW group at 1 d after the operation ( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions In patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, the distal protection device can decrease the changes in neuroendocrine.

Assessing the quality of studies on screening primary aldosteronism by using plasma aldosterone to renin activity ratio / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To assess the quality of international studies on using aldosterone to renin activity ratio (ARR) to diagnose primary aldesteronism. Methods We searched the Cachrane Library (1962-2007.12), PubMed(1970-2007.12) ,VIP(1989-2007.12) ,Wan Fang database(1982-2007.12) ,CBMdisc(1978 -2007.12) systematically. Language was limited to Chinese and English. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies(QUADAS) was used to assess the quality of induced diagnostic studies by two reviewers inde-pendently. Results Fourteen studies were included and assessed. We found that most of the studies were not met with QUADAS items. Nine studies didn't chose correct cases that included miscellaneous cases and confused ca-ses. Eight studies didn't describe internalized or exclusive references clearly. The gold standard in three studies could not discriminate whether the diagnosis of patients was confirmed or not. Thirteen studies did not use blind trial to compare the diagnostic test and the gold standard. Conclusions The studies using ARR to diagnose pri-mary aldesteronism should be improved in patients selection, the gold standard selection, comparison of blind trial and bias control.

Effects of Pinggan Jiangya Capsule on renin activity and angiotensinⅡ of spontaneously hypertensive rats / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To observe the effects of Pinggan Jiangya Capsule on renin activity (RA) and angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ) of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods Pinggan Jiangya Capsule was administered to male SHRs as treatment group (n=10), and equal volume of normal saline was administered to normal control WKY rats group(n=10) or SHR as model group(n=10) respectively for 12 weeks intragastrically. RA and AngⅡ level were measured by radio-immunoassay. Results The blood pressure decreased significantly after treatment with Pinggan Jiangya Capsule for 12 weeks(P

Primary Hyperaldosteronism with Increased Plasma Renin Activity due to Secondary Hypertensive Renal Impairment / 대한내분비학회지

An increased plasma aldosterone concentration, with suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA), is an abnormal finding in primary hyperaldosteronism. A suppressed PRA is caused by aldosterone- dependent sodium retention and extracellular volume expansion. A case of primary hyperaldosteronism, due to adenoma, with increased PRA, was observed. An adrenalectomy and intraoperative renal biopsy was performed. In our patient, histologically proven renal arteriosclerosis was the probable cause of the escape of the PRA from the suppression by an aldosterone-producing adenoma. Normal blood pressure was not attained after the adrenalectomy. However, the blood pressure was then controlled by small doses of antihypertensive drug before resection of the tumor. In this case, the patient was treated with spironolactone, but the blood pressure was not correctly controlled. After the adrenalectomy, the blood pressure was well controlled with smaller dose of calcium channel blockers. So, an early adrenalectomy may be beneficial as soon as the diagnosis of an aldosterone-producing adenoma is confirmed, even in patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

Primary hyperaldosteronism:not an unusual reason for hypertension / 中国实用内科杂志

Recently,with the improvement in recognition and diagnosis technology for primary hyperaldosteronism(PA),the incidence of PA has risen markedly.As a cause of hypertension,PA should be diagnosed based on correct clinical practice.This article discusses the screening test,confirmation tests and subtype classification of PA.

Clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism / 中国实用内科杂志

Primary hyperaldosteronism(PA),with a high prevalence of 10%~20% in normal population,is an important cause of secondary hypertension.Compared with essential hypertension patients,PA patients have higher risks for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications.Early diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism is of great importance.This article is to discuss the prevalence,diagnosis,case confirmation,subtype classification and treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism.

Primary hyperaldosteronism and secondary hypertension / 中国实用内科杂志

Primary hyperaldosteronism(PHA) is one of the most common reasons of secondary hypertension,which usually has long history,moderate hypertension and relative high incident of vascular complications.Its other complications include hypokalemia,alkalosis,hypocalcemia and IGT et al.Screening hypertension patients using plasma aldosteronism/renin rate will greatly increase the diagnosis and improve the treatment.Treatments of PHA include surgery,medicine and intervene.

Evolutional Change of Vasoactive Substances in Rat Model of Chronic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction(MI) in the rat is a model of ventricular dysfunction which is associated with activation of compensatory neurohumoral systems. This stydy was designed to determine the temporal evolution of the regulatory factors-atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP), endothelin(ET), plasma renin activity(PRA) in rats with more than moderate sized MI at 1,4,8 weeks in comparison to normal rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: MI was created in female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250gms to 300gms by ligating the anterior descending artery. Before sacrifice, hemodynamics were measured and blood was drawn in control rats(n=8) and rats with MI(n=7), 4(n=10), and 8 weeks(n=9) after surgery. Heart weight index increased from 329.0+/-7.3mg/gm at baseline to 380.6+/-18.4mg/gm, 441.1+/-23.2mg/gm at the 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks after MI. Plasma ANP increased in the 1st weeks and remained elevated(16+/-7, 259+/-65, 404+/-72, 494+/-73pg/ml at baseline, 1st, 4th, 8th weeks after MI respectively). Plasma endothelin was suppressed at 4th weeks but elevated at 8th week(7.8+/-0.2, 5.3+/-0.3, 11.9+/-1.3pg/ml at baseline, 4th, 8th weeks respectively). PRA, indirect index of plasma angiotensin also decreased at 4th week but elevated at 8th week(14.9+/-0.3, 9.8+/-1.0, 20.3+/-1.8ng/ml/hr at baseline, 4th, 8th weeks resepctively). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a biphasic response of endothelin and PRA after MI despite the inhibitory effects of ANP. These data support the important differential regulation of humoral factors in the evolution of acute MI.

Interrelationships between plasma renin activity, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide and blood volume in adult nephrotic syndrome / 中华肾脏病杂志

To investigate the interrelationship between plasma renin activity(PRAXaldosterone (Ald),atrial natri-uretic peptide ( ANP ) and blood volume ( BV ) in adult nephrotic syndrome ( NS ) . Methods BV was assessed using 113mInCl dilution method. PRA、 Angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ)、Ald、ANP were determined by radioirnmunoassay. 28 edema-tous NS patients,26 healthy controls and 18 cases of remission were involved. Results (1)During edematous period, PR, AngⅡ , Ald、 ANP were higher in NS than in controls. There was no difference of BV between NS and controls. Albumin ,PRA,AngⅡ 、Ald and ANP were not correlated with BV; (2)After remission, comparing with edematous period, Ald 、ANP deceased significantly whereas PRA、AngⅡ、Ald and total BV were not different; (3) Urine natrium excretion (UNaV) was negatively correlated with Aid. Conclusion Ald and ANP may be the major regulating factors of sodium excretion in nephrotic syndrome.

Relationships among Ambulatory Plasma Renin Activity, Blood Pressure and Urinary Microalbumin Excretion Rate in Essential Hypertension

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To determine correlations among ambulatory renin activity, ambulatory blood pressure and microalbumin excretion rate, 66 Korean essential hypertensives were studied after 4 week wash-out period. The ambulatory blood pressure was monitored every 30 minutes and mean BP were calculated automatically. Urinary microalbumin excretion rate(UAER) and ambulatory plasma renin activity(aPRA) collected at mid-day were measured by radioimmunoassays. Subjectives were divided into 2 groups by aPRA value(2ng/ml/hr). RESULT: 14 cases were high renin group and 52 cases low renin group. The mean BP were 148.83/94.69mmHg in low renin group, and 146.57/98.07mmHg in high-renin group without difference. UAER were not different also between both groups. 23.07%(4/14) of non-dippers were included in high renin group and 25.58%(12/52) in low renin group without statistical difference. The aPRA was significantly related to UAER and systolic and diastolic mean blood pressure. Also UAER was related significantly to day mean blood pressures. CONCLUSION: Thus aPRA is thought to be a meaningful indicator to predict hypertensive renal target organ damage as well as blood pressure measured with 24-hr ABPM.

Plasma renin activity in Thai essential Hypertension.

Plasma renin activity was measured by redioimmunoassay in 38 Thai essential hypertension. There were three types detected : -Low renin = 7 cases (18.42%) normal renin = 27 cases (71.05%) and high renin = 4 cases (10.53%) No relationship was found between 24 hours specimen urine sodium and plasma renin as is found in normal populations. However, cardiovascular complication were observed in the high and normal renin subgroups especially in the high renin subgroup but no stroke or heart attack was observed in the low renin subgroup.