Treatment of primary aldosteronism is associated with a reduction in the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea

The Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism

CONTEXT

Investigating the co-occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary aldosteronism (PA) is crucial for understanding their interrelation.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to evaluate the prevalence of OSA in individuals diagnosed with PA and to assess the prevalence of PA within the OSA population, with a specific focus on hypertensive individuals.

METHODS

An exhaustive search was performed across PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science up to September 2023, without restrictions on language or publication date. Studies were selected based on their focus on the prevalence of OSA in PA patients and vice versa, specifically in hypertensive individuals. Data were extracted using standard guidelines, focusing on patient characteristics, prevalence rates, and other relevant clinical parameters.

RESULTS

Proportional meta-analysis using a random-effects model revealed a 59.8% prevalence of OSA in hypertensive PA patients, with 45.4% exhibiting moderate-to-severe OSA. Meta-regression showed no significant effect of age, sex, body mass index, antihypertensive medication, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or serum potassium on OSA prevalence. However, a significant positive association was found with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (P < .001). Subgroup analysis also revealed that a hyperfiltration rate (GFR ≥ 100 mL/min per 1.73 m2) may be associated with a higher prevalence of OSA (71%, P value for interaction < .01). Among hypertensive OSA patients, 11.2% had PA.

CONCLUSION

A substantial prevalence of OSA in individuals with PA was identified, demonstrating a complex interplay between these conditions in hypertensive patients. Notably, the prevalence of OSA was significantly associated with kidney hyperfiltration.

Clinical Management of Primary Aldosteronism: An Update

Despite carrying an excess risk of cardiovascular events, primary aldosteronism (PA) is a commonly overlooked secondary form of arterial hypertension. An increased awareness of its high prevalence and broader screening strategies are urgently needed to improve its detection rate and allow early diagnosis and targeted treatment. For patients with unilateral PA, these measures can correct hyperaldosteronism and ensure cure of hypertension, even when resistant to drug treatment, thus preventing adverse cardiovascular events. Among these, atrial fibrillation is the most common, but left ventricular hypertrophy, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and myocardial infarction also occur more often than in patients with hypertension and no PA. Young patients, who have higher chances of being cured long term, and high-risk patients, such as those with stage III or resistant hypertension, are those who will benefit most from an early diagnosis of PA. Therefore, the implementation of strategies to detect PA by a simplified diagnostic algorithm is necessary. In the patients who seek for surgical cure, adrenal vein sampling is key for the identification of unilateral PA and the achievement of optimal outcomes. Unfortunately, being technically demanding and poorly available, adrenal vein sampling represents the bottleneck in the workup of PA. Considering the novel knowledge generated in the past 5 years in many studies, particularly in the AVIS-2 study (Adrenal Vein Sampling International Study-2), based on 4 decades of experience at our center and on the last guidelines, we herein provide an update on the management of PA with recommendations for drug treatment and strategies to avoid adrenal vein sampling wherever it is poorly, or not, available.

Primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea: A meta-analysis of prevalence and metabolic characteristics

BACKGROUND

Primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are both causes for resistant hypertension and contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcome. However, the association of these two disorders remains to be investigated. We conducted this meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence and metabolic characteristics of the coexistence of PA and OSA.

METHODS

The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Reviews were searched for studies investigating the prevalence or clinical characteristics of PA and OSA until Jan 2023. Single proportions of PA and OSA were meta-analyzed for pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated for the comparison of the prevalence. Mean differences (MDs) and 95% CIs were calculated for comparisons of the characteristics between patients with both OSA and PA and control groups.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of PA was 27% (95% CI = 24-29%) in all patients with OSA (n = 3498). The prevalence of PA in patients with OSA was significantly higher than that in the patients without OSA (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.30, 3.16, p = 0.002). The pooled prevalence (95% CI) of OSA was 46% (39-54%) in patients with PA (n = 2335). Compared with the hypertensive patients without PA, the prevalence of OSA in the patients with PA was significantly higher (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.37, 2.95, p < 0.001). Compared with the patients of control groups, the patients with both PA and OSA had higher blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).

CONCLUSION

Screening for the coexistence of PA and OSA was warranted.

Endocrine causes of hypertension: literature review and practical approach

Hypertension (HTN) affects more than 30% of adults worldwide. It is the most frequent modifiable cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, and is responsible for more than 10 million death every year. Among patients with HTN, we usually distinguish secondary HTN, that is HTN due to an identified cause, and primary HTN, in which no underlying cause has been found. It is estimated that secondary hypertension represents between 5 and 15% of hypertensive patients [1]. Therefore, routine screening of patients for secondary HTN would be too costly and is not recommended. In addition to the presence of signs suggesting a specific secondary cause, screening is based on specific criteria. Identifying secondary HTN can be beneficial for patients in certain situations, because it may lead to specific treatments, and allow better control of blood pressure and sometimes even a cure. Besides, it is now known that secondary HTN are more associated with morbidity and mortality than primary HTN. The main causes of secondary HTN are endocrine and renovascular (mainly due to renal arteries abnormalities). The most frequent endocrine cause is primary aldosteronism, which diagnosis can lead to specific therapies. Pheochromocytoma and Cushing syndrome also are important causes, and can have serious complications. Other causes are less frequent and can be suspected on specific situations. In this article, we will describe the endocrine causes of HTN and discuss their treatments.

Endocrine Hypertension: The Urgent Need for Greater Global Awareness

Hypertension affects about 1.28 billion adults globally, and significantly increases the risk of chronic morbidity and mortality among sufferers. About 15% of these individuals have secondary hypertension, the majority of whom have dysfunction of one or more endocrine systems as the cause of hypertension. Although adrenal disorders are often identified as the cause of endocrine hypertension, extra-adrenal disease and pituitary disorders also can cause the disease. Timely diagnosis is of paramount importance, because of the potential for a surgical cure or optimal disease control with pharmacotherapy to prevent hypertensive complications. Even with its relatively high prevalence compared with many other chronic illnesses, the diagnosis of endocrine hypertension is often delayed or never made because of poor awareness about the disease among physicians. This review attempts to provide an overview of the disease, with some practical aspects of diagnosis and management of a few of the important disorders causing endocrine hypertension.

Screening for Primary Aldosteronism Among Hypertensive Adults with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Retrospective Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Hypertension plus obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is recommended in some guidelines as an indication to screen for primary aldosteronism (PA), yet prior data has brought the validity of this recommendation into question. Given this context, it remains unknown whether this screening recommendation is being implemented into clinical practice.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of all adult Ontario (Canada) residents with hypertension plus OSA from 2009 to 2020 with follow-up through 2021 utilizing provincial health administrative data. We measured the proportion of individuals who underwent PA screening via the aldosterone-to-renin ratio by year. We further examined screening rates among patients with hypertension plus OSA by the presence of concurrent hypokalemia and resistant hypertension. Clinical predictors associated with screening were assessed via Cox regression modeling.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 53,130 adults with both hypertension and OSA, of which only 634 (1.2%) underwent PA screening. Among patients with hypertension, OSA, and hypokalemia, the proportion of eligible patients screened increased to 2.8%. Among patients ≥65 years with hypertension, OSA, and prescription of ≥4 antihypertensive medications, the proportion of eligible patients screened was 1.8%. Older age was associated with a decreased likelihood of screening while hypokalemia and subspecialty care with internal medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, or nephrology were associated with an increased likelihood of screening. No associations with screening were identified with sex, rural residence, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or respirology subspecialty care.

CONCLUSIONS

The population-level uptake of the guideline recommendation to screen all patients with hypertension plus OSA for PA is exceedingly low.

Implementation of a formal sleep center-based screening protocol for primary aldosteronism in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

There is a bidirectional association between primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea, with evidence suggesting that the treatment of primary aldosteronism can reduce obstructive sleep apnea severity. Current guidelines recommend screening for primary aldosteronism in patients with comorbid hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, identifying potential candidates for treatment. However, emerging data suggest current screening practices are unsatisfactory. Moreover, data regarding the true incidence of primary aldosteronism among this population are limited. This study aimed to assess the primary aldosteronism screening rate among patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension at our institution and estimate the prevalence of primary aldosteronism among this population.

METHODS

Sleep studies conducted at our institution between January and September 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Adult patients with a sleep study diagnostic of obstructive sleep apnea (respiratory disturbance index ≥5) and a diagnosis of hypertension were included. Patient medical records were reviewed and laboratory data of those with biochemical screening for primary aldosteronism were assessed by an experienced endocrinologist. Screening rates were compared before and after initiation of a screening protocol in accordance with the 2016 Endocrine Society guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 1,005 patients undergoing sleep studies were reviewed; 354 patients had comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. Patients were predominantly male (67%), with a mean age of 58 years (standard deviation = 12.9) and mean body mass index of 34 (standard deviation = 8.1). The screening rate for primary aldosteronism among included patients was 19% (n = 67). The screening rate was significantly higher after initiation of a dedicated primary aldosteronism screening protocol (23% vs 12% prior; P = .01). Fourteen screens (21%) were positive for primary aldosteronism, whereas 45 (67%) were negative and 8 (12%) were indeterminate. Four had prior abdominal cross-sectional imaging, with 3 revealing an adrenal adenoma. Compared with patients without primary aldosteronism, patients with positive primary aldosteronism screens were more likely to have a history of hypokalemia (36% vs 4.4%; P = .002). The frequency of hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular hypertrophy did not differ between patients with positive versus negative screens.

CONCLUSION

Current screening practices for primary aldosteronism among patients with comorbid obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension are suboptimal. Patients evaluated at sleep centers may represent an optimal population for screening, as the prevalence of primary aldosteronism among this cohort appears high.

Endocrine disorders in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: A bidirectional relationship

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of apnoea or hypopnea due to total or partial pharyngeal collapse and temporary upper airway obstruction during sleep. The prevalence of OSA is increasing and currently affects about 30% of men and 13% of women in Europe. Intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and sleep fragmentation resulting from OSA can provoke subsequent cardiometabolic disorders. The relationships between endocrine disorders and OSA are complex and bidirectional. Indeed, several endocrine disorders are risk factors for OSA. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of OSA is increased in patients with obesity, hypothyroidism, acromegaly, Cushing syndrome, and type 1 and 2 diabetes. In some cases, treatment of the underlying endocrine disorder can improve, and occasionally cure, OSA. On the other hand, OSA can also induce endocrine disorders, particularly glucose metabolism abnormalities. Whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA can improve these endocrine disturbances remains unclear due to the presence of several confounding factors. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art based on the review of the current medical literature for key articles focusing on the bidirectional relationship between endocrine disorders and OSA and the effects of treatment. Screening of OSA in endocrine patients is also discussed, as it remains a subject of debate.

Cerebro-Cardiovascular Risk, Target Organ Damage, and Treatment Outcomes in Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common type of endocrine hypertension, and numerous experimental and clinical evidence have verified that prolonged exposure to excess aldosterone is responsible for an increased risk of cerebro-cardiovascular events and target organ damage (TOD) in patients with PA. Therefore, focusing on restoring the toxic effects of excess aldosterone on the target organs is very important to reduce cerebro-cardiovascular events. Current evidence convincingly demonstrates that both surgical and medical treatment strategies would benefit cerebro-cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in the long term. Understanding cerebro-cardiovascular risk in PA would help clinical doctors to achieve both early diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, in this review, we will summarize the cerebro-cardiovascular risk in PA, focusing on the TOD of aldosterone, including brain, heart, vascular system, renal, adipose tissues, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Furthermore, the various treatment outcomes of adrenalectomy and medical treatment for patients with PA will also be discussed. We hope this knowledge will help improve cerebro-cardiovascular prognosis and reduce the incidence and mortality of cerebro-cardiovascular events in patients with PA.

Primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea: What do we know thus far?

Both primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea are well-known causes of hypertension and contribute to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independently. However, the relationship between these two entities remains unclear, with studies demonstrating contradictory results. This review aims to collate and put into perspective current available research regarding the association between primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea. The relationship between these two entities, clinical characteristics, clinical implications, outcomes of treatment, potential causal links and mechanisms are hereby presented.

Screening for Primary Aldosteronism is Underutilized in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Resistant hypertension is common in patients with primary aldosteronism and in those with obstructive sleep apnea. Primary aldosteronism treatment improves sleep apnea. Despite Endocrine Society guidelines' inclusion of sleep apnea and hypertension co-diagnosis as a primary aldosteronism screening indication, the state of screening implementation is unknown.

METHODS

All hypertensive adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (n = 4751) at one institution between 2012 and 2020 were compared with a control cohort without sleep apnea (n = 117,815). We compared the association of primary aldosteronism diagnoses, risk factors, and screening between both groups. Patients were considered to have screening if they had a primary aldosteronism diagnosis or serum aldosterone or plasma renin activity evaluation.

RESULTS

Obstructive sleep apnea patients were predominantly men and had higher body mass index. On multivariable analysis, hypertensive sleep apnea patients had higher odds of drug-resistant hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 2.70; P < .001) and hypokalemia (OR 1.26; P < .001) independent of body mass index, sex, and number of antihypertensive medications. Overall, sleep apnea patients were more likely to be screened for primary aldosteronism (OR 1.45; P < .001); however, few patients underwent screening whether they had sleep apnea or not (pre-guideline publication 7.8% vs 4.6%; post-guidelines 3.6% vs 4.6%; P < .01). Screening among eligible sleep apnea patients remained low prior to and after guideline publication (4.4% vs 3.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with primary aldosteronism risk factors without formal diagnosis, suggesting screening underutilization and underdiagnosis. Strategies are needed to increase screening adherence, as patients may benefit from treatment of concomitant primary aldosteronism to reduce sleep apnea severity and its associated cardiopulmonary morbidity.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism is a common cause of secondary hypertension associated with excess cardiovascular morbidities. Primary aldosteronism is underdiagnosed because it does not have a specific, easily identifiable feature and clinicians can be poorly aware of the disease. The diagnostic investigation is a multistep process of screening, confirmatory testing, and subtype differentiation of unilateral from bilateral forms for therapeutic management. Adrenal venous sampling is key for reliable subtype identification, but can be bypassed in patients with specific characteristics. For unilateral disease, surgery offers the possibility of cure, with total laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy being the treatment of choice. Bilateral forms are treated mainly with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. The goals of treatment are to normalise both blood pressure and excessive aldosterone production, and the primary aims are to reduce associated comorbidities, improve quality of life, and reduce mortality. Prompt diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and the use of targeted treatment strategies mitigate aldosterone-specific target organ damage and with appropriate patient management outcomes can be excellent. Advances in molecular histopathology challenge the traditional concept of primary aldosteronism as a binary disease, caused by either a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Somatic mutations drive autonomous aldosterone production in most adenomas. Many of these same mutations have been identified in nodular lesions adjacent to an aldosterone-producing adenoma and in patients with bilateral disease. In addition, germline mutations cause rare familial forms of aldosteronism (familial hyperaldosteronism types 1-4). Genetic testing for inherited forms in suspected cases of familial hyperaldosteronism avoids the burdensome diagnostic investigation in positive patients. In this Review, we discuss advances and future management approaches in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism.

Taiwan mini-frontier of primary aldosteronism: Updating treatment and comorbidities detection

The aim of this study was to update the information on internationally acceptable standards and clinical practice recommendations for the management of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). The Taiwan Society of Aldosteronism (TSA) Task Force acknowledged the novel issues of PA and reached a group consensus on PA in Taiwan by collecting the best available evidence and conducting one group meeting, several conference calls, and multiple e-mail communications. Unilateral adrenalectomy is the preferred treatment for patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). For medical treatment with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), spironolactone is the first-line treatment, and eplerenone is a reasonable alternative in PA patients intolerant or contraindicated to spironolactone. The dose of MRAs can be titrated according to plasma renin activity (PRA). For screening PA-related comorbidities, we suggest albuminuria to predict a post-treatment decline in renal function, echocardiography as cardiac evaluation, bone mineral density scan for osteoporosis, and obstructive sleep apnea. In tissue and genetic surveys, we suggest immunohistochemical staining and somatic mutation screening for post-operative adrenal specimens in APA patients. With this consensus, we hope to update the information on PA for clinical physicians to facilitate better identification, management and treatment of patients with PA.

Primary aldosteronism is highly prevalent in patients with hypertension and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

It has been suggested that there might be a pathophysiological link and overlap between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, in a prospective study, we evaluated the frequency of PA in hypertensive patients suspected of having OSA.

METHODS

We included 207 consecutive hypertensive patients (mean age 53.2 ± 12.1 years, 133 M, 74 F) referred for polysomnography on the basis of one or more of the following clinical features: typical OSA symptoms, resistant or difficult-to-treat hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. PA was diagnosed based on thew saline infusion test.

RESULTS

Moderate-to-severe OSA was diagnosed in 94 patients (45.4% of the whole group). PA was diagnosed in 20 patients with OSA (21.3%) compared with 9 patients in the group without OSA (8.0%; P = .006). PA was also frequent in patients in whom symptoms of OSA were a sole indication for PA screening (15.4%) and in patients with and without resistant hypertension (24.5% and 17.8%, respectively). Most patients with PA and OSA were diagnosed with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (18 patients, 90%). There were no major differences in clinical characteristics between patients with OSA with PA and those without PA. In multivariate models, moderate-to-severe OSA predicted the presence of PA (odds ratio 2.89, P = .018).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with clinically important moderate-to-severe OSA are characterized by a relatively high frequency of PA. Our results support the recommendations to screen patients with moderate-to-severe OSA for PA, regardless of the presence of other indications for PA screening.

Comparison of ambulatory blood pressure between patients with primary aldosteronism and other forms of hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a potentially curable cause of hypertension associated with worse cardiovascular prognosis than blood pressure-matched essential hypertension (EH). Effective targeted treatment for PA is available with the greatest benefit seen if treatment is started early, prior to the development of end-organ damage. However, PA is currently substantially under-diagnosed. The standard screening test for PA, the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR), is performed infrequently in both primary and tertiary care. In contrast, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is frequently utilized in the assessment of hypertension. The aim of this study was to compare ABPM parameters in hypertensive patients with and without PA, in order to identify features of ABPM associated with PA that can prompt screening.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with PA (n = 55) were identified from a tertiary clinic specializing in the management of endocrine causes of hypertension whilst the controls (n = 389) were consecutive patients with hypertension but without a known diagnosis of PA who were referred for ABPM.

RESULTS

In this study, PA patients were younger and had higher 24-h, day, and night-time blood pressure compared with controls despite similar number of antihypertensive medications. However, there was no significant difference in nocturnal dipping or day-night blood pressure variability between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated ambulatory blood pressure in patients on multiple antihypertensives could suggest underlying PA but in the absence of other distinguishing features, ABPM could not reliably differentiate PA from other forms of hypertension. Routine biochemical screening for PA remained the most reliable way of detecting this treatable secondary cause of hypertension.

The Role of Aldosterone in OSA and OSA-Related Hypertension

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is regarded as an independent risk factor for hypertension. The possible mechanism includes oxidative stress, endothelial injury, sympathetic excitement, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, etc. Clinical studies have found that there is a high coexistence of OSA and primary aldosteronism in patients with hypertension and that elevated aldosterone levels are independently associated with OSA severity in resistant hypertension. The underlying mechanism is that aldosterone excess can exacerbate OSA through increasing overnight fluid shift and affecting the mass and function of upper airway muscles during the sleep period. Thus, a bidirectional influence between OSA and aldosterone exists and contributes to hypertension in OSA patients, especially resistant hypertension.

Hyperaldosteronism: How Current Concepts Are Transforming the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Paradigm

Nearly seven decades have elapsed since the clinical and biochemical features of primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) were described by Conn. PA is now widely recognized as the most common form of secondary hypertension. PA has a strong correlation with cardiovascular disease and failure to recognize and/or properly diagnose this condition has profound health consequences. With proper identification and management, PA has the potential to be surgically cured in a proportion of affected individuals. The diagnostic pursuit for PA is not a simplistic endeavor, particularly because an enhanced understanding of the disease process is continually redefining the diagnostic and treatment algorithm. These new concepts have emerged in all areas of this clinical condition, including identification, diagnosis, and treatment. Here, we review the recent advances in this field and summarize the effect these advances have on both diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

Primary Aldosteronism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Casual Association or Pathophysiological Link?

The coexistence of aldosterone oversecretion and obstructive sleep apnea is frequently observed, especially in patients with resistant hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Since aldosterone excess and sleep apnea are both independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, to investigate whether their coexistence might be attributed to common predisposing conditions, such as metabolic disorders, or to an actual pathophysiological interconnection appears of great importance. Fluid overload and metabolic abnormalities relating to aldosterone oversecretion may be implicated in obstructive sleep apnea development. Nocturnal intermittent hypoxia may in turn exacerbate renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity, thus leading to hyperaldosteronism. Furthermore, fat tissue excess and adipocyte secretory products might predispose to both sleep apnea and aldosterone oversecretion in subjects with obesity. Consistent with these evidences, obstructive sleep apnea frequently affects patients with primary aldosteronism. Conversely, whether primary aldosteronism is more prevalent in individuals affected by obstructive sleep apnea compared to the general population remains controversial.

Primary Aldosteronism: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common, but frequently overlooked, cause of arterial hypertension and excess cardiovascular events, particularly atrial fibrillation. As timely diagnosis and treatment can provide a cure of hyperaldosteronism and hypertension, even when the latter is resistant to drug treatment, strategies to screen patients for PA early with a simplified diagnostic algorithm are justified. They can be particularly beneficial in some subgroups of hypertensive patients, as those who are at highest cardiovascular risk. However, identification of the surgically curable cases of PA and achievement of optimal results require subtyping with adrenal vein sampling, which, as it is technically challenging and currently performed only in tertiary referral centers, represents the bottleneck in the work-up of PA. Measures aimed at improving the clinical use of adrenal vein sampling and at developing alternative techniques for subtyping, alongside recommendations for drug treatment, including new development in the field, and for follow-up are discussed.

Management of primary aldosteronism and mineralocorticoid receptor-associated hypertension

Resistant hypertension is associated with a poor prognosis due to organ damage caused by prolonged suboptimal blood pressure control. The concomitant use of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists with other antihypertensives has been shown to improve blood pressure control in some patients with resistant hypertension, and such patients are considered to have MR-associated hypertension. MR-associated hypertension is classified into two subtypes: one with a high plasma aldosterone level, which includes primary aldosteronism (PA), and the other with a normal aldosterone level. In patients with unilateral PA, adrenalectomy may be the first-choice procedure, while in patients with bilateral PA, MR antagonists are selected. In addition, in patients with other types of MR-associated hypertension with high aldosterone levels, MR antagonists may be selected as a first-line therapy. In patients with normal aldosterone levels, ARBs or ACE inhibitors are used as a first-line therapy, and MR antagonists may be used as an add-on agent. Since MR antagonist therapy may have efficacy as a first-line or add-on agent in these patients, it is important to recognize this type of hypertension. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathogenesis and management of MR-associated hypertension in more detail to improve the clinical outcomes of patients with MR-associated hypertension.

The 2020 Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) practical guidelines for the management of primary aldosteronism

Background and aim

Considering the amount of novel knowledge generated in the last five years, a team of experienced hypertensionlogists was assembled to furnish updated clinical practice guidelines for the management of primary aldosteronism.

Methods

To identify the most relevant studies, the authors utilized a systematic literature review in international databases by applying the PICO strategy, and then they were required to make use of only those meeting predefined quality criteria. For studies of diagnostic tests, only those that fulfilled the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy recommendations were considered.

Results

Each section was jointly prepared by at least two co-authors, who provided Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence following the American Heart Association methodology. The guidelines were sponsored by the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension and underwent two rounds of revision, eventually reexamined by an External Committee. They were presented and thoroughly discussed in two face-to-face meetings with all co-authors and then presented on occasion of the 36th Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension meeting in order to gather further feedbacks by all members. The text amended according to these feedbacks was subjected to a further peer review.

Conclusions

After this process, substantial updated information was generated, which could simplify the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and assist practicing physicians in optimizing treatment and follow-up of patients with one of the most common curable causes of arterial hypertension.

A pilot study in men to show the effects of postural fluid shifts on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

Studies reveal that rostral fluid shifts due to body posture changes from standing to lying down may narrow the upper airway. However, without credible and direct experimental evidence, it remains unclear what the role of natural fluid redistribution in the neck is in affecting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity. Our aim is using direct experimental evidence to determine whether or not postural fluid shifts affect OSA severity.

METHODS

We performed overnight polysomnography on two consecutive nights for 22 men. The bed was set horizontally on the control night, while its tail part was lowered by 30° on the experimental night to reduce the amount of fluid shifted into the neck. We measured sleep and anthropometric parameters on each night.

RESULTS

The mean (95% CI) apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the supine head and trunk position decreased from 66.6 events per hour (57.6-75.6) to 61.2 (52.0-70.4) (t = 4.507, p <0.001), and the oxygen desaturation index from 69.5 events per hour (56.4-82.6) to 61.6 (50.5-72.6) (t = 3.293, p = 0.004), from the control to the experimental night with a decrease in the change of leg fluid volume from 17.7% (15.7-19.8) to 4.7% (1.9-7.5) (t = 11.659, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide direct experimental evidence to show that natural fluid shift caused by the day-to-night posture change does contribute to OSA pathogenesis and severity. It is likely that the neck fluid increase from an actual day-to-night position change, with 90° change in posture, would produce a much larger AHI increase than the 11.2% found in this study, which contains only a 30° change in posture. These findings suggest that reducing the amount of fluid in the neck region may relieve airway obstructions for patients with moderate and severe OSA.

Disease monitoring of Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a highly prevalent cause of arterial hypertension featuring excess cardiovascular events. A timely diagnosis and treatment of PA cures hyperaldosteronism and can provide resolution or improvement of arterial hypertension, even when the latter is resistant to drug treatment. Accordingly, strategies to screen early and widely the hypertensive patients for PA by means of simplified diagnostic algorithms are justified. Such strategies are particularly beneficial in subgroups of hypertensive patients, who are at the highest cardiovascular risk. Broadening of screening strategies means facing with an increased number of patients where monitoring the disease becomes necessary. Hence, after identification of the surgically and non surgically curable cases of PA and implementation of targeted treatment physicians are faced with the challenges of follow-up, which are scantly discussed in the literature. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide some recommendations on how to optimize the monitoring of patients in whom the PA subtype has been diagnosed and treatment, either with unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy or medically, has been instituted.

Associations between primary aldosteronism and diabetes, poor bone health, and sleep apnea-what do we know so far?

Primary aldosteronism (PA), the most common cause of secondary hypertension, is a well-recognized condition that can lead to cardiovascular and renal complications. PA is frequently left undiagnosed and untreated, leading to aldosterone-specific morbidity and mortality. In this review we highlight the evidence linking PA with other conditions such as (i) diabetes mellitus, (ii) obstructive sleep apnea, and (iii) bone health, along with clinical implications and proposed underlying mechanisms.

Primary Aldosteronism and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Ethnic Study

The association between primary aldosteronism (PA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been a matter of debate. 2016 Endocrine Society guideline recommends screening for PA all hypertensive patients with OSA. We designed a multicenter, multiethnic, cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of PA in patients with OSA and the prevalence of OSA in unselected patients with PA. Two hundred and three patients with OSA (102 whites and 101 Chinese) were screened for PA, and 207 patients with PA (104 whites, 100 Chinese, and 3 of African descent) were screened for OSA by cardiorespiratory polygraphy. Eighteen patients with OSA (8.9%) had PA (11.8% of white and 5.9% of Chinese ethnicity). In patients without other indications for PA screening, the prevalence of PA dropped to 1.5%. The prevalence of OSA in patients with PA was 67.6%, consistent in both white and Chinese patients. A correlation between aldosterone levels and apnea/hypopnea index was observed in white patients with PA (R²=0.225, P=0.016) but not in Chinese patients. Multinomial logistic regression confirmed a significant and independent association between plasma aldosterone levels and moderate to severe OSA diagnosis in white patients (odds ratio, 1.002; P=0.002). In conclusion, aldosterone levels may contribute to the severity of OSA in white patients with hyperaldosteronism, but patients with OSA are not at high risk of PA. Results of the present study challenge the current recommendation of the Endocrine Society guideline that all patients with OSA should be screened for PA, irrespective of the grade of hypertension.

Relationship between senile osteoporosis and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

The relationship between senile osteoporosis and cardiovascular hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction was investigated. A retrospective study on 428 elderly patients hospitalized in Harrison International Peace Hospital from June 2014 to January 2017 was conducted. There were 207 cases of coronary heart disease, 102 cases of hypertension and 119 cases of cerebral infarction. According to bone density measurement results, the subjects were divided into the osteoporosis group and the non-osteoporosis group. Risk factors for osteoporosis were analyzed, and the incidence of osteoporosis in hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cerebral infarction populations of different severity was analyzed. Hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction were the main risk factors for osteoporosis in the elderly. Incidence of osteoporosis in the double-vessel disease group and the three-vessel disease group was significantly higher than that in the single-vessel disease group. Incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in the three-vessel disease group than that in the double-vessel disease group (P<0.05). Incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in the moderate hypertension and severe hypertension groups than that in the mild hypertension group. Incidence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in patients with severe hypertension than that in the moderate hypertension group (P<0.05). Incidence of osteoporosis in patients with moderate cerebral infarction and severe cerebral infarction was significantly higher than that in the mild cerebral infarction group (P<0.05). Incidence of osteoporosis in patients with severe cerebral infarction was significantly higher than that in the moderate cerebral infarction group (P<0.05). The results indicated that there is a close correlation between senile osteoporosis and hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction. Osteoporosis can be used as a predictor of early screening for hypertension, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction in the elderly population.

Clinical characteristics of snoring patients with primary aldosteronism and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome

The 2016 guideline on the work-up of primary aldosteronism recommended that patients with obstructive sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) be screened. This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics of snoring patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) complicated by OSAS. Sixty-eight self-reported or witnessed snoring patients and 609 non-snoring patients diagnosed with PA between 2010 and 2015 were recruited in this retrospective study. Compared to non-snoring patients, snoring patients had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and serum and urinary sodium, as well as lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Moreover, snoring patients exhibited significantly (P < 0.01) higher plasma renin activity levels and lower plasma aldosterone levels and aldosterone-to-renin activity ratios (ARRs) than patients with PA alone. When age, sex, duration of hypertension, and BMI were matched between groups, snoring patients still showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher plasma renin activity, serum and urinary sodium, and lower ARR and eGFR than those in the PA-only group. All 68 snoring patients underwent polysomnography, with 7 having mild (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 and <15), 21 moderate (AHI ≥ 15 and <30), and 40 severe (AHI ≥ 30) OSAS. The BMI of patients with OSAS was negatively correlated with the lowest SaO₂ (r = −0.318, P = 0.018) but not with the AHI. In conclusion, snoring patients with PA tend to have increased BMI and DBP, as well as decreased eGFR and ARR. Snoring patients with PA had higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSAS.

Eplerenone as a treatment for resistant hypertension in pregnancy

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are highly effective in the management of resistant hypertension and primary hyperaldosteronism. Recent studies demonstrate that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists significantly reduce blood pressure, severity of obstructive sleep apnoea and arterial stiffness in patients with resistant hypertension and moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnoea. Eplerenone is a selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that does not act as an androgen receptor blocker, thus reducing the risk of fetal anti-androgenic effects. Rat and rabbit studies demonstrated that when exposed to 30 times the equivalent therapeutic human dose, 100 mg/day, there were no teratogenic or demasculinisation effects. To date, the use of eplerenone has been reported in six human pregnancies in women with Gitelman syndrome, primary hyperaldosteronism and cardiac failure, in which no teratogenic effects were seen. Described here is a case of resistant hypertension associated with obstructive sleep apnoea in pregnancy, treated with eplerenone. The potential role of using eplerenone in pregnancy as treatment for resistant hypertension is discussed. Trial registration: Not applicable.

A sleep apnoea questionnaire predicts organ damage in hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Arterial hypertension is associated with obstructive sleep apnoea, poor quality and duration of sleep, which might contribute to hypertension-mediated organ damage.

METHODS

We investigated the presence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnoea using validated questionnaires (Insomnia Severity Index, Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale, and STOP-Bang), and their relationship with hypertension-mediated organ damage, in hypertensive patients.

RESULTS

In 159 consecutive consenting hypertensive patients [age 47(11) years, median and (interquartile range), body mass index 25.5(5.9) kg/m², office systolic and diastolic blood pressure 144(23)/92(12) mmHg], the STOP-Bang, but not the other scores, predicted cardiac remodelling: compared to patients with a STOP-Bang score < 3, those at high risk of obstructive sleep apnoea showed higher left ventricular mass index [49.8(11.9) vs. 43.3(11.9) g/m^2.7, p < 0.0001], left atrium volume [25.7(2.5) vs. 25.0(2.8) ml/m², p = 0.003], and aortic root diameter [33.6(3.0) vs. 33.0(3.7) mm, p < 0.0001]. They did not differ for microalbuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate. At multivariate analysis, after adjustment for office systolic blood pressure values, the STOP-Bang score remained a predictor of left ventricular mass index; while the Insomnia Severity Index and restless legs syndrome risk score had no predictive value. However, a significant interaction between STOP-Bang and Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale scores in determining left ventricular remodelling was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In consecutive hypertensive stage I patients the STOP-Bang questionnaire allowed identification of a high-risk cohort featuring a more prominent cardiac damage. Hence, this inexpensive tool can be useful for risk stratification purposes in municipalities with limited access to health care resources.

Treatment of Primary Aldosteronism Reduces the Probability of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Aldosterone excess is hypothesized to worsen obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms by promoting peripharyngeal edema. However, the extent to which primary aldosteronism (PA), hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) influence OSA pathogenesis remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of PA patients from our endocrine database to retrospectively evaluate OSA probability before and after adrenalectomy or medical management of PA. A control group of patients undergoing adrenalectomy for nonfunctioning benign adrenal masses was also evaluated. We categorized patients as high or low OSA probability after evaluation with the Berlin Questionnaire, a validated 10-question survey that explores sleep, fatigue, hypertension, and BMI.

RESULTS

We interviewed 91 patients (83 PA patients and eight control patients). Median follow-up time was 2.6 y. The proportion of high OSA probability in all PA patients decreased from 64% to 35% after treatment for PA (mean Berlin score 1.64 versus 1.35, P < 0.001). This decline correlated with improvements in hypertension (P < 0.001) and fatigue symptoms (P = 0.03). Both surgical (n = 48; 1.69 versus 1.33, P < 0.001) and medical (n = 35; 1.57 versus 1.37, P = 0.03) treatment groups demonstrated reduced OSA probability. BMI remained unchanged after PA treatment (29.1 versus 28.6, P = nonsignificant), and the impact of treatment on OSA probability was independent of BMI. The control surgical group showed no change in OSA probability after adrenalectomy (1.25 versus 1.25, P = nonsignificant).

CONCLUSIONS

Both surgical and medical treatments of PA reduce sleep apnea probability independent of BMI and are associated with improvements in hypertension and fatigue. Improved screening for PA could reduce OSA burden.