[Occurrence of primary aldosteronism in a group of ambulatory hypertensive patients]. / Výskyt primárneho aldosteronizmu v súbore ambulantných hypertonikov.

Findings pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism are rapidly expanding. In the present work the authors focused attention on the clinical application of some progressive methods. They examined a group of 115 ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension, not suspected of secondary arterial hypertension, in the course of one year. As a screening method of primary aldosteronism they selected the aldosterone renin ratio (ARR). Using this method the authors diagnosed 125 cases of primary aldosteronism, i.e. a 13% prevalence in the examined group. Only in one instance they detected an adenoma by computed tomography (CT), in the remaining patients, i.e. four times, the adenoma was verified by selective catheterization of adrenal veins and assessment of aldosterone and cortisol. The authors did not confirm a more accurate localization of the adenoma by the aldosterone/cortisol ration than when assessing aldosterone only. In two patients adrenalectomy was performed by laparoscopy and this surgical technique, as regards adrenal glands, was implemented for the first time in Slovakia in our department. It has certain advantages over classical adrenalectomy.

[Is the aldosterone-renin ratio useful in screening for primary aldosteronism?]. / Je v skríningu primárneho aldosteronizmu uzitocný aldosterónovo-renínový pomer?

Despite improving laboratory and imaging methods the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism still remains a problem. One of the reasons is inadequate sensitivity of classical screening of this secondary arterial hypertension by hypokalemia. In the submitted paper the authors review data from the literature on more sensitive screening by means of the aldosterone-renin ratio. Its inclusion among basic examinations in patients with arterial hypertension seems fully justified.

[The importance of studying the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in essential arterial hypertension in clinical practice. Activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during treatment of hypertension with ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers]. / Význam vysetrovania renín-angiotenzín-aldosterónového systému u esenciálnej artériovej hypertenzie v klinickej praxi. Chovanie sa renín-angiotenzín-aldoesterónového systému v priebehu liecby hypertenzie ACE--inhibitormi a betablokátormi.

The authors assessed in 20 subjects with mild or medium severe arterial hypertension basal and stimulated values of plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone before onset of treatment and after 6-week therapy with enalapril (ENAP KRKA) or metoprolol (Vasocardin Slovakofarma). PRA and aldosterone secretion was stimulated by a vertical position and by administration of 40 mg furosemide by the i.v. This test proved suitable for assessment of secondary arterial hypertension in different forms of primary hyperaldosteronism and for expressing suspicion of renovascular hypertension and hypertension with affection of the renal arteries resp. Based on PRA levels, arterial hypertension can be divided into normorenin, high-renin and low-renin hypertension. This classification is, however, of no value for selection of treatment and the prognosis of hypertension. Each level of PRA can be associated with three different aldosterone levels. PRA and aldosterone did not correlate with urinary K, Na excretion nor with blood pressure. During treatment with ACE inhibitor PRA rose while basal as well as stimulated aldosterone levels declined. After administration of betablockers basal as well as stimulated PRA and aldosterone levels declined.