J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2002 Feb;17(1):95-103.

Hypertensive Complications in Patients with Primary Aldosteronism

• Kwon SH
• Cho YM
• Park HK
• Park DJ
• Shin CS
• Park KS
• Kim SY
• Cho BY
• Lee HK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is believed to be a benign form of secondary hypertension due to the low incidence of hypertensive complications. Recently, several studies have shown that hypertensive complications were common in patients with PA. Therefore, we investigated hypertensive complications in 46 PA patients. METHEODS: Clinical and laboratory features of 46 46 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Hypertensive complications of this group were left ventricular hypertrophy, cerebrovascular accidents, hypertensive nephropathy and hypertensive retinopathy.
RESULTS
Hypertensive complications were found in 30 (65.2%) of the 46 patients. The incidence of severe hypertension (higher than or equal to 110 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure) was 17.6%. Left ventricular hypertrophy was found in 26 (56.7%) of the 46 patients. Cerebrovascular accidents were found in 6 patients, and hypertensive nephropathy in 4 patients. The incidence of severe hypertensive retinopathy (higher than or equal to grade 3 in the Keith-Wagener Barker classification) was 17.6%. Of the 35 PA patients who underwent surgical treatment hypertension was found in 18 (51.4%).
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that hypertensive complications are common in patients with PA, suggesting that early detection, treatment and close follow-up are necessary in PA.

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperaldosteronism*
Hypertension
Hypertensive Retinopathy
Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular
Incidence
Retrospective Studies
Stroke