A case with primary hyperaldosteronism associated with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. PA may be associated with a decline in renal function. About 20% of cases with resistant HTN eventually cause PA, so all these patients should be evaluated for PA. Herein, we present a case with drug-resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD), the cause of which was PA. Despite his low-salt diet modifications and treatment with several classes of antihypertensive medication, he had poorly controlled blood pressure (BP). Measurements of aldosterone and renin raised the concern of PA. Imaging confirmed bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Due to the persistently high BP, despite the modification of the antihypertensive treatment, the patient underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, as the only feasible possibility of lowering aldosterone levels. After surgery, the patient had an improvement in both BP values and renal function. PA is difficult to diagnose in patients with CKD and Arterial Hypertension because hypertension is often associated with CKD, but PA accounts for a significant percentage of drug-resistant hypertension, so these patients should be screened for secondary arterial hypertension.