Radiofrequency Endoscopic Ablation With Ultrasound Guidance: a Non-surgical Treatment for Aldosterone-producing...
Primary HyperaldosteronismPrimary Hyperaldosteronism Due to Adrenal AdenomaHigh blood pressure (hypertension) causes strokes and heart attacks. While most patients need long-term treatment with pills, some have a cause which can be removed, curing the hypertension. The commonest curable cause is a benign nodule in one of the hormone glands, the adrenals. About one in 20 patients have such a nodule, but difficulties with diagnosis, and reluctance to proceed to surgery for a benign condition, limit the number having adrenal gland surgery to fewer than 300 per year in the UK. A potential, and exciting, solution to this dilemma is to use a momentary electric current to cauterise the nodule (radiofrequency ablation), without affecting the rest of the adrenal gland, and avoiding the need for surgery. Nodules in the left adrenal gland are easily reached under mild sedation using a similar procedure as is standard for investigating stomach ulcers (endoscopy). The study is designed to show that this approach (endoscopic ultrasound guided radiofrequency ablation) is very safe, and to provide initial evidence that the hormone abnormality is cured.
The Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptors in Vascular Function
Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess (AME)The purpose of this study is to figure out how decreasing the activity of 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-beta HSD) will affect your blood vessel function. 11-beta HSD, which is found in the kidneys and blood vessels, is a natural protein that when active helps to keep your blood pressure under control.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Aldosterone-producting Adenoma in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism...
Primary AldosteronismAdrenal AdenomaThe aim of the study is to evaluate the novel use of adrenal radiofrequency ablation on a prospective cohort of patients with primary aldosteronism and unilateral adrenal adenoma concerning the efficacy on blood pressure control. The safety of the procedure is one of the secondary outcomes.
The Therapeutic Effect of Bromocriptin in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
HyperaldosteronismHypertensionwe propose that bromocriptine may be an alternative treatment of primary aldosteronism, both APA and BAH.
Adrenal Artery Ablation for Primary Aldosteronism
Primary AldosteronismHypertensionPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is one of the most common causes of endocrine and resistant hypertension. Current studies have shown that the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the increased sympathetic nerve activity in the central or local tissue are the key mechanisms of high blood pressure and its organ damages. The classical method for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism depends on the detection of peripheral venous blood aldosterone level, which is incapable of accurate positioning diagnosis. On the other hand, the current guidelines recommend that surgery and aldosterone receptor inhibitors were the only treatment for primary aldosteronism. However, only about 35% of aldosterone tumors and a small part of unilateral adrenal hyperplasia can be treated by surgery. More than 60% of idiopathic aldosteronism and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia need long-term drug therapy. However, long-term aldosterone inhibitor treatment may also cause hyperkalemia, male breast hyperplasia, female hirsutism and other adverse reactions. Therefore, the investigators proposed that endovascular chemical partial ablation of the adrenal gland can lower the aldosterone level, reduce the blood pressure and recover the potassium metabolism balance. In order to confirm the above effects, the investigators conduct an open, prospective, positive controlled study in patients with primary aldosteronism patients (including aldosterone, idiopathic aldosteronism and adrenal hyperplasia). The effects on blood pressure, blood electrolytes, adrenal hormones, metabolic indexes, target organ damages were observed to explore the efficacy and safety of the endovascular ablation of the adrenal gland in the treatment of primary aldosteronism.
Effects of Adrenal Artery Ablation and Adrenalectomy in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Primary AldosteronismHypertensionPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is the main cause of secondary hypertension, affecting 5-15% of the general hypertensive population. Early diagnosis and treatment are of crucial importance as patients with PA are more susceptible to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality than blood-pressure-matched hypertensive patients. Current guidelines indicate that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists and laparoscopic adrenalectomy are the principal treatments for PA.Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is recommended for patients with aldosteronoma or unilateral adrenal hyperplasia. During the past two decades, catheter-based arterial embolization or computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency thermogenesis have been used for aldosteronomas treatment. Although these procedures are claimed to be effective for treatment of aldosteronomas, the evidence comes mostly from case reports or small series. In addition, some PA patients refuse surgery and are intolerant of the adverse effects of MR antagonists; others have persistence of PA after adrenelectomy, but respond poorly to MR antagonists. An alternative therapy is needed in such cases. In recent years, adrenal artery ablation has also been used to treat primary aldosteronism, which can reduce the level of aldosterone and blood pressure, but its efficacy and safety are not clear. To confirm the effect of adrenal artery ablation on blood pressure, RAAS system and blood potassium, the researchers conducted a parallel control clinical study of patients with primary aldosteronism (Aldosteronoma).
Effects of Adrenal Artery Ablation and Spironolactone in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Primary AldosteronismHypertensionPrimary aldosteronism (PA) is one of the most common cause of endocrine and resistant hypertension. Current studies have shown that the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the increased sympathetic nerve activity in the central or local tissue are the key mechanisms of high blood pressure and its organ damages. Current guidelines suggest that surgery and aldosterone receptor inhibitors are the only treatment for primary aldosteronism. However, only about 35% of aldosterone tumors and a small number of unilateral adrenal hyperplasia can be treated surgically. More than 60% of primary aldosteronism and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia need long-term oral aldosterone receptor inhibitors. At present, spironolactone is the most commonly used aldosterone receptor inhibitor. Long term use of spironolactone may cause hyperkalemia, hyperplasia of male mammary gland, hairiness of female and other adverse reactions. Therefore, the researchers suggest that partial removal of adrenals can reduce aldosterone level, lower blood pressure and restore potassium metabolism balance. In patients with primary hyperaldosteronism, the level of aldosterone increases, which can cause vascular endothelial dysfunction, myocardial injury and ventricular fibrosis. The study shows that long-term oral administration of spironolactone can reverse the above cardiovascular damage and correct heart failure. Adrenal artery ablation can reduce aldosterone level, but the long-term effect on cardiovascular system is unknown. In order to confirm the effect of adrenal artery ablation on blood pressure and cardiovascular system, the researchers conducted an open cohort study on patients with primary aldosteronism (including aldosterone, idiopathic aldosteronism and adrenal hyperplasia). To observe the effect of adrenal artery ablation and spironolactone on blood pressure, blood electrolyte, metabolic index, cardiovascular events and cardiovascular death risk in patients with primary aldosteronism, and to explore its efficacy and safety.
Metabolic Myopathy in Endocrinopathy
Cushing SyndromePheochromocytoma2 moreEndocrine diseases including Cushing's syndrome and phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) but not Conn's syndrome are associated with muscle wasting and weakness. The study's aim is to identify epigenetic determinants of muscle homeostasis in these conditions following medical treatment and adrenalectomy. This is an observational pilot study that will recruit 66 patients from 3 diagnostic groups: Cushing's syndrome (16), PPGL (20) and Conn's syndrome (30). Indices of muscle bulk and strength will be assessed at diagnosis and at outpatient follow-up 6-9 weeks after adrenalectomy. At these times blood and urine will be collected and a muscle biopsy taken from the operation site at the time of surgery. Pathway analysis in these samples will identify potentially novel signalling pathways contributing to muscle wasting via prolonged exposure to high levels of corticosteroid and catecholamines. This will highlight commonalities and differences in pathogenesis of muscle wasting from a variety of different causes. Finally, it will inform identification of novel therapies for muscle atrophy.
Prevalence of Primary Aldosteronism Among Hypertensive Patients With Atrial Arythmia
Primary AldosteronismAtrial FibrillationAtrial arrhythmia is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia. It is a source of significant morbidity. Hypertension is a major risk factor for atrial arrhythmias. Primary hyperaldosteronism (PA) is a common cause of secondary hypertension, associated with a high prevalence of arrhythmias with a specific, sometimes curative, treatment. The purpose of the study is to show that the prevalence of PA among hypertensive patients under 65 years old with atrial arrhythmia is high, justifying systematic screening.
Intraoperative Analysis of Cortisol During Adrenal Vein Sampling
Primary HyperaldosteronismAldosterone is a hormone produced in the adrenals that helps regulate the salt balance and blood pressure. Primary hyperaldosteronism is one of the main endocrine causes of secondary hypertension. The overproduction of aldosteron might in some cases be due to unilateral hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex or a unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma. In these cases the adrenal can be removed and the patient cured of hypertension. The clinical evaluation of patients with confirmed primary hyperaldosteronism therefore includes selective sampling of blood from the adrenal veins to determine lateralization of overproduction. This is executed as an interventional radiological procedure. The adrenal vein sampling is challenging, and success is determined by measuring another adrenal hormone named cortisol in the blood samples as a marker of a correctly drawn sample. By routine laboratory assays the procedure is evaluated after the patient has been discharged from the hospital. In the study a rapid assay of cortisol will be evaluated, allowing the radiologist to draw new samples during the same procedure if the first set of samples is unsuccessful. The study hypothesis is that intraoperative measurement of cortisol is a useful tool to evaluate successful sampling, and that fewer patients will need a repeated procedure.