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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2002; 110(6): 263-271
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34588
Review

© Johann Ambrosius Barth

Primary Hyperaldosteronism

M. Quinkler1 , J. Lepenies2 , S. Diederich1
  • 1 Department of Endocrinology, Dietetics and Metabolism, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin
  • 2 Department of Nephrology and Intensive Care, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 2 January 2002 first decision 10 April 2002

accepted 6 May 2002

Publication Date:
09 October 2002 (online)

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Summary

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) is regarded as a rare disease with prevalence rates of 0.5 to 2% within the hypertensive population. Recent studies using more detailed screening procedures in small hypertensive cohorts have suggested that PHA may be more common than previously thought (3-18%). Since a validated and cost-effective routine screening protocol for this entity is not established, many clinicians are reluctant to consider PHA as an underlying cause for a patient's high blood pressure. The insufficient perception of PHA may have fatal consequences since most patients are curable by an operation and missing the diagnosis often leads to significant and irreversible end-organ damage.

This review focuses on the diagnosis of PHA and gives a rational and cost-effective flow chart for routine screening and differential diagnosis of PHA in hypertensive patients.

Key words:

Primary hyperaldosteronism - Aldosterone - Plasma renin activity - Conn's syndrome - Screening and diagnosis

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M.D. Marcus Quinkler

Department of Endocrinology

Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin

Hindenburgdamm 30

12200 Berlin

Germany

Phone: + 49-30-84 45-21 14

Fax: + 49-30-84 45-42 04

Email: LepeniesQuinkler@compuserve.com

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