ABSTRACT Objective: Despite its recognized importance, primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) remains an underdiagnosed condition in clinical practice. The objective of the present study was to evaluate PHA screening practices by general practitioners and specialists in endocrinology and cardiology. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional, observational study invited physicians to respond voluntarily to an online survey. The survey collected the respondents’ sociodemographic data and answers to five hypothetical clinical cases meeting Endocrine Society criteria for PHA screening. Results: In all, 126 physicians responded […]

Glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA) is a monogenic form of human hypertension that predisposes to cerebral hemorrhage. As a result of a chimeric gene duplication, aldosterone is ectopically synthesized in the cortisol-secreting zona fasciculata of the adrenal gland under the control of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). Hypertension frequently has its onset during childhood and is usually refractory to standard anti-hypertensives such as ACE inhibitors and b-blockers. Hypokalemia can develop in those treated with a potassium-wasting diuretic, but random potassium levels are usually normal. Diagnosis […]

Primary aldosteronism (PA), previously considered a rare cause of hypertension, may be responsible in recent series for 5-10% of the hypertensive population. Although one might consider PA as the main cause of secondary hypertension, caution is recommended when interpreting this sudden “epidemics”. Because the classical manifestations of aldosterone excess are not always present, screening for PA must include determinations of random plasma aldosterone: renin ratios (ng/dl:ng/ml/h). Hypertensive patients with ratios ³ 25 (and aldosterone >14ng/dl) must be further investigated with […]