Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Unilateral primary aldosteronism is the most common surgically correctable form of endocrine hypertension, usually diagnosed by adrenal vein sampling (AVS) or computed tomography (CT). We compared the outcomes of patients diagnosed by CT and AVS and determined if CT can reliably diagnose unilateral primary aldosteronism in young patients with an evident phenotype.Methods: Patient data were obtained from 18 internationally distributed centres ...

Introduction: We report the largest case series of concomitant prolactinoma and aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), diagnosed in four patients from the German Conn Registry and in three patients at the Hypertension Unit, University of Torino. A disproportionate number (five out of seven) presented with macro-prolactinomas indicating that elevated prolactin (PRL) concentrations may play a role in APA formation. Further, increased expression of PRLR in the zona glomeru...

Background: Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) are a major cause of primary aldosteronism. Somatic mutations explain the excess aldosterone production in the majority of patients with APA with mutations in the potassium channel KCNJ5 the most prevalent. In contrast, mechanisms driving cell proliferation are largely unresolved.Objective: To identify genes that modulate cell growth in APAs.Methods: Quantitative transcripto...

Objective: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension. According to the Endocrine Society Guidelines, up to 50% of hypertensive patients should be screened for PA, using the aldosterone to renin (or plasma renin activity (PRA)) ratio (AARR and ARR respectively). The automated Diasorin LIAISON chemiluminescent immunoassay for renin and aldosterone measurement became available and in many laboratories is currently used instead of the classica...

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of endocrine hypertension associated with excess aldosterone production from one or both adrenal glands. Somatic or germline mutations in the KCNJ5 potassium channel cause an imbalance in intracellular ion homeostasis. This ultimately drives aldosterone overproduction in some sporadic forms of PA and a familial form of the disease (familial hyperaldosteronism type 3). Our objective was to identify small molecule...

Background: Primary aldosteronism is commonly caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Somatic mutations in the KCNJ5 gene (encoding an inwardly rectifying potassium channel) are found in around 40% of APAs, KCNJ5 germline mutations cause familial hyperaldosteronism type III. The role of KCNJ5 mutations in excessive aldosterone production is established but their role in cell growth is unclear.Objective: To study the e...

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common surgically curable cause for endocrine hypertension. Patients with unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma undergo adrenalectomy (ADX). Clinical and biochemical outcome is assessed 6-12 months after ADX according to PASO consensus. To reduce unnecessary follow-up visits and change in medication for diagnostic purposes for potentially cured patients after ADX, a prediction tool is needed. Previous research had shown g...

Background: Confirmation of primary aldosteronism (PA) with the saline infusion test (SIT) requires accurate measurements of plasma aldosterone, best achieved by mass spectrometry. Performance of the test and appropriate cut-offs remain inadequately defined.Design and methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study involved 451 patients with suspected PA who underwent a seated SIT. Among these, there were 90 and 76 in whom PA was respectively confirmed and excluded based on...