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Rationality and implication of catheter-based adrenal ablation for bilateral primary aldosteronism

Abstract

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) for bilateral primary aldosteronism (PA) are the mainstay option recommended by guidelines, but poor compliance occurs due to numerous side effects. We aimed to examine whether catheter-based adrenal ablation could be an alternative treatment for bilateral PA.644 PA patients were included from a total of 6054 hypertensive patients. Adrenal CT scan and adrenal venous sampling (AVS) were both performed for PA subtype classification. Clinical and biochemical outcomes were assessed at 6 months after treatment according to the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome (PASO) criteria.93 patients with PA were recruited to be treated by adrenal ablation, including 25 bilateral PA and 68 unilateral PA according to AVS results. Office SBP and DBP significantly decreased from baseline levels, serum potassium levels increased and ARR significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in both the bilateral and unilateral groups. In the bilateral group, complete, partial and absent clinical success was achieved in 6 (24.0%), 11 (44.0%) and 8(32.0%) patients, respectively. In the unilateral group, complete, partial and absent clinical success was achieved in 12 (17.6%), 37 (54.4%), and 19 (27.9%) patients, respectively. The numbers of patients achieving complete, partial, and absent biochemical success were 15 (60.0%), 6 (24.0%), and 4 (16.0%), respectively, in the bilateral group versus 37 (54.4%), 9 (13.2%), and 22 (32.3%), respectively, in the unilateral group. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the beneficial outcomes of unilateral adrenal ablation for patients with bilateral PA. Our findings provide insight into an alternative option for patients with bilateral excess aldosterone.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Chongqing Endocrine Hypertension Collaborative Team for their contributions to this trial.

Chongqing Endocrine Hypertension Collaborative Team:

Hongyun Miao2, Zhiyong Li3, Ping Wei4, Min Long5, Xiaoli Chen6, Peijin Xia7, Xiaoyun Fan8, Wuquan Deng9, Yangjie He10, Qingbin Liao11, Xingrong Tan12, Liping Zhang13, Yong Luo14, Yong Liao15

Funding

This project has received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81920108010, 81900380, 81721001, U21A20354) and Third Military Medical University for funding of the Triple A program led by ZMZ.

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Correspondence to Zhiming Zhu.

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Sun, F., Zhang, H., He, H. et al. Rationality and implication of catheter-based adrenal ablation for bilateral primary aldosteronism. Hypertens Res 47, 2884–2894 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-01815-3

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