Management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. On behalf of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Hypertension and the Kidney.

Objective Real-life management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) is unclear : we aimed to investigate it. Methods A survey was conducted in 2023. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed. Results Overall, 88 ESH-ECS representatives from 27 countries participated. According to the responders, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, calcium-channel blockers and thiazides were often added when these medications were lacking in CKD patients, but physicians were more prone to initiate RAS blockers (90% [interquartile range: 70-95%]) than MRA (20% [10-30%]), SGLT2i (30% [20-50%]) or (GLP1-RA (10% [5-15%]). Despite treatment optimisation, 30% of responders indicated that hypertension remained uncontrolled (30% (15-40%) vs 18% [10%-25%]) in CKD and CKD patients, respectively). Hyperkalemia was the most frequent barrier to initiate RAS blockers, and dosage reduction was considered in 45% of responders when kalaemia was 5.5-5.9 mmol/L. Conclusions RAS blockers are initiated in most ESH-ECS in CKD patients, but MRA and SGLT2i initiations are less frequent. Hyperkalemia was the main barrier for initiation or adequate dosing of RAS blockade, and RAS blockers' dosage reduction was the usual management.

What is the context? Hypertension is a strong independent risk factor for development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and progression of CKD to ESKD. Improved adherence to the guidelines in the treatment of CKD is believed to provide further reduction of cardiorenal events. European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) have been developed in Europe to provide excellency regarding management of patients with hypertension and implement guidelines. Numerous deficits regarding general practitioner CKD screening, use of nephroprotective drugs and referral to nephrologists prior to referral to ESH-ECs have been reported. In contrast, real-life management of these patients among ESH-ECs is unknown. Before implementation of strategies to improve guideline adherence in Europe, we aimed to investigate how patients with CKD are managed among the ESH-ECs.What is the study about? In this study, a survey was conducted in 2023 by the ESH to assess management of CKD patients referred to ESH-ECs. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed among their centres.What are the results? RAAS blockers are initiated in 90% of ESH-ECs in CKD patients, but the initiation of MRA and SGLT2i is less frequently done. Hyperkalemia is the main barrier for initiation or adequate dosing of RAAS blockade, and its most reported management was RAAS blockers dosage reduction. These findings will be crucial to implement strategies in order to improve management of patients with CKD and guideline adherence among ESH-ECs.

New therapeutic targets in hypertension. / Nuevas dianas terapéuticas en hipertensión.

Even though a large number of antihypertensive drugs are suitable for hypertension treatment, some new therapeutic targets are recently under development. Most are focused in the treatment of resistant hypertension, added to the drugs currently available for treating such condition. Others have specific particularities in their duration of action, which allows their use once per month or every six months and could become alternatives to the current antihypertensive treatment. Most interesting therapeutic targets are the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, through interference with the RNA of the angiotensinogen, the inhibition of brain aminopeptidase III, the inhibition of aldosterone synthase, and new non-steroidal aldosterone receptor antagonists. In addition, dual endothelin receptor antagonists or agonists of the NPR1 receptor, the main effector of natriuretic peptides are other new interesting therapeutic possibilities. In this paper, we review clinical data on the development of the most interesting molecules acting through these new therapeutic targets.

Screening and management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. A pilot survey based on questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Real-life management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. METHODS: A survey was conducted in 2023 by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) to assess management of CKD patients referred to ESH-Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) at first referral visit. The questionnaire contained 64 questions with which ESH-ECs representatives were asked to estimate preexisting CKD management quality. RESULTS: Overall, 88 ESH-ECs from 27 countries participated (fully completed surveys: 66/88 [75.0%]). ESH-ECs reported that 28% (median, interquartile range: 15-50%) had preexisting CKD, with 10% of them (5-30%) previously referred to a nephrologist, while 30% (15-40%) had resistant hypertension. The reported rate of previous recent (<6 months) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing were 80% (50-95%) and 30% (15-50%), respectively. The reported use of renin-angiotensin system blockers was 80% (70-90%). When a nephrologist was part of the ESH-EC teams the reported rates SGLT2 inhibitors (27.5% [20-40%] vs. 15% [10-25], P = 0.003), GLP1-RA (10% [10-20%] vs. 5% [5-10%], P = 0.003) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (20% [10-30%] vs. 15% [10-20%], P = 0.05) use were greater as compared to ESH-ECs without nephrologist participation. The rate of reported resistant hypertension, recent eGFR and UACR results and management of CKD patients prior to referral varied widely across countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimation indicates deficits regarding CKD screening, use of nephroprotective drugs and referral to nephrologists before referral to ESH-ECs but results varied widely across countries. This information can be used to build specific programs to improve care in hypertensives with CKD.

Screening and diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. Consensus document of all the Spanish Societies involved in the management of primary aldosteronism.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension (HT), and is associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk than essential HT. However, PA remains underdiagnosed, probably due to several difficulties clinicians usually find in performing its diagnosis and subtype classification. The aim of this consensus is to provide practical recommendations focused on the prevalence and the diagnosis of PA and the clinical implications of aldosterone excess, from a multidisciplinary perspective, in a nominal group consensus approach by experts from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN), Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC), Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), Spanish Radiology Society (SERAM), Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI), Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC(ML)), Spanish Society of Anatomic-Pathology, Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC).

Practical consensus for the treatment and follow-up of primary aldosteronism: a multidisciplinary consensus document.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk than essential hypertension. The aim of this consensus is to provide practical clinical recommendations for its surgical and medical treatment, pathology study and biochemical and clinical follow-up, as well as for the approach in special situations like advanced age, pregnancy and chronic kidney disease, from a multidisciplinary perspective, in a nominal group consensus approach of experts from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN), Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC), Spanish Society of Nephrology (SEN), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), Spanish Radiology Society (SERAM), Spanish Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SERVEI), Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC(ML)), Spanish Society of Anatomic-Pathology and Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC).

Subtype Identification of Surgically Curable Primary Aldosteronism During Treatment With Mineralocorticoid Receptor Blockade.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines and consensus documents recommend withdrawal of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) before primary aldosteronism (PA) subtyping by adrenal vein sampling (AVS), but this practice can cause severe hypokalemia and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Our aim was to investigate if unilateral PA can be identified by AVS during MRA treatment. METHODS: We compared the rate of unilateral PA identification between patients with and without MRA treatment in large data sets of patients submitted to AVS while off renin-angiotensin system blockers and ß-blockers. In sensitivity analyses, the between-group differences of lateralization index values after propensity score matching and the rate of unilateral PA identification in subgroups with undetectable (≤2 mUI/L), suppressed (<8.2 mUI/L), and unsuppressed (≥8.2 mUI/L) direct renin concentration levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: Plasma aldosterone concentration, direct renin concentration, and blood pressure values were similar in non-MRA-treated (n=779) and MRA-treated (n=61) patients with PA, but the latter required more antihypertensive agents (P=0.001) and showed a higher rate of adrenal nodules (82% versus 67%; P=0.022) and adrenalectomy (72% versus 54%; P=0.01). However, they exhibited no significant differences in commonly used AVS indices and the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve of lateralization index, both under unstimulated conditions and postcosyntropin. Several sensitivity analyses confirmed these results in propensity score matching adjusted models and in patients with undetectable, or suppressed or unsuppressed renin levels. CONCLUSIONS: At doses that controlled blood pressure and potassium levels, MRAs did not preclude the identification of unilateral PA at AVS. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01234220.

Routing of Kv7.1 to endoplasmic reticulum plasma membrane junctions.

AIM: The voltage-gated Kv7.1 channel, in association with the regulatory subunit KCNE1, contributes to the IKs current in the heart. However, both proteins travel to the plasma membrane using different routes. While KCNE1 follows a classical Golgi-mediated anterograde pathway, Kv7.1 is located in endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane junctions (ER-PMjs), where it associates with KCNE1 before being delivered to the plasma membrane. METHODS: To characterize the channel routing to these spots we used a wide repertoire of methodologies, such as protein expression analysis (i.e. protein association and biotin labeling), confocal (i.e. immunocytochemistry, FRET, and FRAP), and dSTORM microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, proteomics, and electrophysiology. RESULTS: We demonstrated that Kv7.1 targeted ER-PMjs regardless of the origin or architecture of these structures. Kv2.1, a neuronal channel that also contributes to a cardiac action potential, and JPHs, involved in cardiac dyads, increased the number of ER-PMjs in nonexcitable cells, driving and increasing the level of Kv7.1 at the cell surface. Both ER-PMj inducers influenced channel function and dynamics, suggesting that different protein structures are formed. Although exhibiting no physical interaction, Kv7.1 resided in more condensed clusters (ring-shaped) with Kv2.1 than with JPH4. Moreover, we found that VAMPs and AMIGO, which are Kv2.1 ancillary proteins also associated with Kv7.1. Specially, VAP B, showed higher interaction with the channel when ER-PMjs were stimulated by Kv2.1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that Kv7.1 may bind to different structures of ER-PMjs that are induced by different mechanisms. This variable architecture can differentially affect the fate of cardiac Kv7.1 channels.

Indication, performance and outcomes of adrenal vein sampling in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism.

Primary hyperaldosteronism (PAH) is an important cause of secondary hypertension (HTN). The study of the same requires a high clinical suspicion in addition to a hormonal study that confirms hormonal hypersecretion. It is important to start the appropriate treatment once the diagnosis is confirmed, and for this is necessary to demonstrate whether the hormonal hypersecretion is unilateral (patients who could be candidates for surgical treatment) or bilateral (patients who are candidates for pharmacological treatment only). At the Hospital del Mar since 2016 there has been a multidisciplinary work team in which Nephrologists, Endocrinologists, Radiologists and Surgeons participate to evaluate cases with suspected hyperaldosteronism and agree on the best diagnostic-therapeutic approach for these patients, including the need for adrenal vein sampling, which is a technique that in recent years has become the gold standard for the study of PAH. In the present study we collect the experience of our centre in performing AVC and its usefulness for the management of these patients.

Unilaterally Selective Adrenal Vein Sampling for Identification of Surgically Curable Primary Aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal venous sampling is recommended for the identification of unilateral surgically curable primary aldosteronism but is often clinically useless, owing to failed bilateral adrenal vein cannulation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate if only unilaterally selective adrenal vein sampling studies can allow the identification of the responsible adrenal. METHODS: Among 1625 patients consecutively submitted to adrenal vein sampling in tertiary referral centers, we selected those with selective adrenal vein sampling results in at least one side; we used surgically cured unilateral primary aldosteronism as gold reference. The accuracy of different values of the relative aldosterone secretion index (RASI), which estimates the amount of aldosterone produced in each adrenal gland corrected for catheterization selectivity, was examined. RESULTS: We found prominent differences in RASI values distribution between patients with and without unilateral primary aldosteronism. The diagnostic accuracy of RASI values estimated by the area under receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.714 and 0.855, respectively, in the responsible and the contralateral side; RASI values >2.55 and ≤0.96 on the former and the latter side furnished the highest accuracy for detection of surgically cured unilateral primary aldosteronism. Moreover, in the patients without unilateral primary aldosteronism, only 20% and 16% had RASI values ≤0.96 and >2.55. CONCLUSIONS: With the strength of a large real-life data set and use of the gold reference entailing an unambiguous diagnosis of unilateral primary aldosteronism, these results indicate the feasibility of identifying unilateral primary aldosteronism using unilaterally selective adrenal vein sampling results. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT01234220.

Predictors of Preeclampsia in the First Trimester in Normotensive and Chronic Hypertensive Pregnant Women.

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by the new onset of hypertension (HT) and proteinuria beyond the 20th week of gestation. We aimed to find the best predictor of PE and find out if it is different in women with or without HT. Consecutively attended pregnant women were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy and followed-up. Laboratory and office and 24 h-ambulatory blood pressure (BP) data were collected. PE occurred in 6.25% of normotensives (n = 124). Both office mean BP and 24 h-systolic BP in the first trimester were higher in women with versus those without PE (p ≤ 0.001). In women with chronic hypertension (cHT), PE occurred in 55%; office SBP (p = 0.769) and 24 h-SBP (p = 0.589) were similar between those with and those without PE. Regarding biochemistry, in cHT, plasma urea and creatinine were higher in PE women than in those without cHT (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004 for the differences in both parameters). These differences were not observed in normotensives. In normotensives, mean BP was the best predictor of PE [ROC curve = 0.91 (95%CI 0.82-0.99)], best cut-off = 80.3 mmHg. In cHT, plasma urea and creatinine were the best predictors of PE, with ROC curves of 0.94 (95%CI 0.84-1.00) and 0.93 (95%CI 0.83-1.00), respectively. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the strongest predictor of PE in normotensive women is office mean BP, while in cHT, renal parameters are the strongest predictors. Otherwise, office BP is non-inferior to 24 h ambulatory BP to predict PE.

Hypertensive mediated organ damage evolution in resistant hypertension patients after adding spironolactone.

INTRODUCTION: Resistant hypertension (RH) represents an important multi-organic impact and increases the morbi-mortality. We aimed to evaluate the evolution of hypertensive mediated organ damage in patients with RH after adding spironolactone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 58 patients with RH who started spironolactone (12.5-25mg daily). Office blood pressure, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24h-ABPM), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed prior to initiation of spironolactone and after 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six percent of patients were women and mean age was 67.3±10.1 years. We observed a decrease in urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (median [RIQ25-75]) of 27.0 (7.5-255.4) to 11.3 (3.1-37.8)mg/g, p=0.009. This was more relevant in patients with albuminuria grade A2 and A3: 371.2 (139.5-797.4) to 68.4 (26.5-186.5)mg/g, p=0.02. The echocardiographic changes were: posterior wall thickness: -1.0±0.4mm (p<0.001), interventricular septal thickness: -0.6±0.5mm (p=0.01), left ventricular (LV) mass index: -14.7±10.2g/m2 (p=0.006), LV remodeling index: -0.04±0.036 (p=0.03), without statistically significant changes in LV ejection fraction, LV end-diastolic diameter, LV end-systolic diameter, left atrial diameter, relationship between early ventricular filling wave and atrial contraction and LV filling pressure index. Systolic/diastolic office blood pressure decreased -12.5±4.9/-4.9±3.0mmHg, p<0.001. In 24h-ABPM, systolic and diastolic BP had a significant decrease in diurnal and nocturnal periods and 38.1% of patients presented a favorable change in the circadian pattern, p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Adding spironolactone to patients with RH contributes to improve hypertensive mediated organ damage by reducing albuminuria levels and echocardiographic parameters of hypertensive heart disease.

Enzyme self-label-bound ATTO700 in single-molecule and super-resolution microscopy.

Herein, we evaluate near-infrared ATTO700 as an acceptor in SNAP- and Halo-tag protein labelling for Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) by ensemble and single molecule measurements. Microscopy of cell surface proteins in live cells is perfomed including super-resolution stimulated emission by depletion (STED) nanoscopy.

Renal Deletion of LRRC8/VRAC Channels Induces Proximal Tubulopathy.

BACKGROUND: Volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) are heterohexamers of LRRC8A with LRRC8B, -C, -D, or -E in various combinations. Depending on the subunit composition, these swelling-activated channels conduct chloride, amino acids, organic osmolytes, and drugs. Despite VRACs' role in cell volume regulation, and large osmolarity changes in the kidney, neither the localization nor the function of VRACs in the kidney is known. METHODS: Mice expressing epitope-tagged LRRC8 subunits were used to determine the renal localization of all VRAC subunits. Mice carrying constitutive deletions of Lrrc8b-e, or with inducible or cell-specific ablation of Lrrc8a, were analyzed to assess renal functions of VRACs. Analysis included histology, urine and serum parameters in different diuresis states, and metabolomics. RESULTS: The kidney expresses all five VRAC subunits with strikingly distinct localization. Whereas LRRC8C is exclusively found in vascular endothelium, all other subunits are found in the nephron. LRRC8E is specific for intercalated cells, whereas LRRC8A, LRRC8B, and LRRC8D are prominent in basolateral membranes of proximal tubules. Conditional deletion of LRRC8A in proximal but not distal tubules and constitutive deletion of LRRC8D cause proximal tubular injury, increased diuresis, and mild Fanconi-like symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: VRAC/LRRC8 channels are crucial for the function and integrity of proximal tubules, but not for more distal nephron segments despite their larger need for volume regulation. LRRC8A/D channels may be required for the basolateral exit of many organic compounds, including cellular metabolites, in proximal tubules. Proximal tubular injury likely results from combined accumulation of several transported molecules in the absence of VRAC channels.

The GenoDiabMar Registry: A Collaborative Research Platform of Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

The GenoDiabMar registry is a prospective study that aims to provide data on demographic, biochemical, and clinical changes in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients attending real medical outpatient consultations. This registry is also used to find new biomarkers related to the micro- and macrovascular complications of T2D, with a particular focus on diabetic nephropathy. With this purpose, longitudinal serum and urine samples, DNA banking, and data on 227 metabolomics profiles, 77 immunoglobulin G glycomics traits, and other emerging biomarkers were recorded in this cohort. In this study, we show a detailed longitudinal description of the clinical and analytical parameters of this registry, with a special focus on the progress of renal function and cardiovascular events. The main objective is to analyze whether there are differential risk factors for renal function deterioration between sexes, as well as to analyze cardiovascular events and mortality in this population. In total, 650 patients with a median age of 69 (14) with different grades of chronic kidney disease­G1−G2 (eGFR > 90−60 mL/min/1.73 m2) 50.3%, G3 (eGFR; 59−30 mL/min/1.73 m2) 31.4%, G4 (eGFR; 29−15 mL/min/1.73 m2) 10.8%, and G5 (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2) 7.5%­were followed up for 4.7 (0.65) years. Regardless of albuminuria, women lost 0.93 (0.40−1.46) fewer glomerular filtration units per year than men. A total of 17% of the participants experienced rapid deterioration of renal function, 75.2% of whom were men, with differential risk factors between sexes­severe macroalbuminuria > 300 mg/g for men OR [IQ] 2.40 [1.29:4.44] and concomitant peripheral vascular disease 3.32 [1.10:9.57] for women. Overall mortality of 23% was detected (38% of which was due to cardiovascular etiology). We showed that kidney function declined faster in men, with different risk factors compared to women. Patients with T2D and kidney involvement have very high mortality and an important cardiovascular burden. This cohort is proposed as a great tool for scientific collaboration for studies, whether they are focused on T2D, or whether they are interested in comparing differential markers between diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

Exploring Renal Changes after Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Severe Obesity.

Obesity-related hyperfiltration leads to an increased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and hyperalbuminuria. These changes are reversible after bariatric surgery (BS). We aimed to explore obesity-related renal changes post-BS and to seek potential mechanisms. Sixty-two individuals with severe obesity were prospectively examined before and 3, 6 and 12 months post-BS. Anthropometric and laboratory data, 24 h-blood pressure, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) components, adipokines and inflammatory markers were determined. Both estimated GFR (eGFR) and albuminuria decreased from the baseline at all follow-up times (p-for-trend <0.001 for both). There was a median (IQR) of 30.5% (26.2-34.4) reduction in body weight. Plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting insulin and HOMA-index decreased at 3, 6 and 12 months of follow-up (p-for-trend <0.001 for all). The plasma aldosterone concentration (median (IQR)) also decreased at 12 months (from 87.8 ng/dL (56.8; 154) to 65.4 (56.8; 84.6), p = 0.003). Both leptin and hs-CRP decreased (p < 0.001) and adiponectine levels increased at 12 months post-BS (p = 0.017). Linear mixed-models showed that body weight (coef. 0.62, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.93, p < 0.001) and plasma aldosterone (coef. -0.07, 95% CI: -0.13 to -0.02, p = 0.005) were the independent variables for changes in eGFR. Conversely, glycosylated hemoglobin was the only independent variable for changes in albuminuria (coef. 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.42, p = 0.009). In conclusion, body weight and aldosterone are the main factors that mediate eGFR changes in obesity and BS, while albuminuria is associated with glucose homeostasis.

Drug-resistant hypertension in primary aldosteronism patients undergoing adrenal vein sampling: the AVIS-2-RH study.

AIMS: We aimed at determining the rate of drug-resistant arterial hypertension in patients with an unambiguous diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). Moreover, we sought for investigating the diagnostic performance of adrenal vein sampling (AVS), and the effect of adrenalectomy on blood pressure (BP) and prior treatment resistance in PA patients subtyped by AVS in major referral centres. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Adrenal Vein Sampling International Study-2 (AVIS-2) was a multicentre international study that recruited consecutive PA patients submitted to AVS, according to current guidelines, during 15 years. The patients were over 18 years old with arterial hypertension and had an unambiguous diagnosis of PA. The rate of resistant hypertension was assessed at baseline and after adrenalectomy using the American Heart Association (AHA) 2018 definition. Information on presence or absence of resistant hypertension was available in 89% of the 1625 enrolled PA patients. Based on the AHA 2018 criteria, resistant hypertension was found in 20% of patients, of which about two-thirds (14%) were men and one-third (6%) women (χ2 = 17.1, P < 1*10-4) with a higher rate of RH in men than in women (23% vs. 15% P < 1*10-4). Of the 292 patients with resistant hypertension, 98 (34%) underwent unilateral AVS-guided adrenalectomy, which resolved BP resistance to antihypertensive treatment in all. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Resistant hypertension is a common presentation in patients seeking surgical cure of PA; (ii) AVS is key for the optimal management of patients with PA due to resistant hypertension; and (iii) AVS-guided adrenalectomy allowed resolution of treatment-resistant hypertension.

Feasibility of Imaging-Guided Adrenalectomy in Young Patients With Primary Aldosteronism.

Many of the patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) are denied curative adrenalectomy because of limited availability or failure of adrenal vein sampling. It has been suggested that adrenal vein sampling can be omitted in young patients with a unilateral adrenal nodule, who show a florid biochemical PA phenotype. As this suggestion was based on a very low quality of evidence, we tested the applicability and accuracy of imaging, performed by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance, for identification of unilateral PA, as determined by biochemical and/or clinical cure after unilateral adrenalectomy. Among 1625 patients with PA submitted to adrenal vein sampling in a multicenter multiethnic international study, 473 were ≤45 years of age; 231 of them had exhaustive imaging and follow-up data. Fifty-three percentage had a unilateral adrenal nodule, 43% had no nodules, and 4% bilateral nodules. Fifty-six percentage (n=131) received adrenalectomy and 128 were unambiguously diagnosed as unilateral PA. A unilateral adrenal nodule on imaging and hypokalemia were the strongest predictors of unilateral PA at regression analysis. Accordingly, imaging allowed correct identification of the responsible adrenal in 95% of the adrenalectomized patients with a unilateral nodule. The rate raised to 100% in the patients with hypokalemia, who comprised 29% of the total, but fell to 88% in those without hypokalemia. Therefore, a unilateral nodule and hypokalemia could be used to identify unilateral PA in patients ≤45 years of age if adrenal vein sampling is not easily available. However, adrenal vein sampling remains indispensable in 71% of the young patients, who showed no nodules/bilateral nodules at imaging and/or no hypokalemia. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01234220.

Redefining the Role of ADAM17 in Renal Proximal Tubular Cells and Its Implications in an Obese Mouse Model of Pre-Diabetes.

Acute and chronic kidney lesions induce an increase in A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM17) that cleaves several transmembrane proteins related to inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. Our group has demonstrated that renal ADAM17 is upregulated in diabetic mice and its inhibition decreases renal inflammation and fibrosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze how Adam17 deletion in proximal tubules affects different renal structures in an obese mice model. Tubular Adam17 knockout male mice and their controls were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 22 weeks. Glucose tolerance, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, renal histology, and pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic markers were evaluated. Results showed that wild-type mice fed an HFD became obese with glucose intolerance and renal histological alterations mimicking a pre-diabetic condition; consequently, greater glomerular size and mesangial expansion were observed. Adam17 tubular deletion improved glucose tolerance and protected animals against glomerular injury and prevented podocyte loss in HFD mice. In addition, HFD mice showed more glomerular macrophages and collagen accumulation, which was prevented by Adam17 deletion. Galectin-3 expression increased in the proximal tubules and glomeruli of HFD mice and ameliorated with Adam17 deletion. In conclusion, Adam17 in proximal tubules influences glucose tolerance and participates in the kidney injury in an obese pre-diabetic murine model. The role of ADAM17 in the tubule impacts on glomerular inflammation and fibrosis.

Bariatric Surgery and Hypertension.

A clear pathogenetic association exists between obesity and arterial hypertension, becoming even more evident in subjects with severe obesity. Bariatric surgery has proved to be the most effective treatment for severe obesity, with its benefits going beyond weight loss. The present review aimed to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on arterial hypertension evident in short- and long-term follow-ups. Moreover, the differences between surgical techniques regarding hypertension remission are described as well as the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms involved. In addition, the effects of bariatric surgery beyond blood pressure normalization are also analyzed, including those on target organs and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.