RAS-challenge as a first-look test for detection of primary aldosteronism in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension.

PURPOSE: Primary aldosteronism (PA), characterised by low-renin hypertension, confers a high cardiovascular risk and is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, with an increased prevalence in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. However, it is estimated that only a small percentage of affected patients are identified in routine clinical practice. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system cause an increase in renin levels in patients with intact aldosterone regulation, and inadequate low renin with concurrent RAS inhibition (RASi) may therefore indicate PA, which could serve as a first look screening test for selection for formal work-up. METHODS: We analysed patients between 2016-2018 with treatment-resistant hypertension who had inadequate low renin in the presence of RASi (i. e. at risk for PA) and who were offered systematic work-up with adrenal vein sampling (AVS). RESULTS: A total of 26 pts were included in the study (age 54.8 ± 11, male 65%). Mean office blood pressure (BP) was 154/95 mmHg on 4.5 antihypertensive drug classes. AVS had a high technical success rate (96%) and demonstrated unilateral disease in the majority of patients (57%), most of which (77%) were undetected by cross-sectional imaging. CONCLUSION: In patients with resistant hypertension, low renin in the presence of RASi is a strong indicator for autonomous aldosterone secretion. It may serve as an on-medication screening test for PA to select for formal PA work up.

What is the context? Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with an uncontrolled secretion of the hormone aldosterone and often causes severe forms of high blood pressure. PA is considered the most common cause of high blood pressure which is caused by another medical condition. Medical societies have issued precise recommendations for the screening of this disease, which includes the determination of aldosterone and its main regulator renin. However, it is estimated that only a small percentage of affected patients are identified in routine clinical practice.What is the problem? In clinical studies, the determination of renin, aldosterone and its ratio (ARR) proved to be a valid screening tool. Nevertheless, in everyday life assessing and interpreting these results can be challenging for the clinician. The ARR is influenced by all first-line antihypertensives and in case of doubt, an extensive change in medication is recommended. Especially patients with resistant hypertension may require intensive medical care when medication is changed.What is important? In this study, we analysed patients at risk for PA who had inadequate low renin in presence of RASi (ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers). This study suggests that in patients with severe hypertension, the determination of renin in presence of RASi can provide further information on the presence of autonomic aldosterone secretion at a glance. However, this approach cannot and should not replace the algorithm proposed by current guidelines. In contrast, this approach should be an easy-to-implement concept that should prime the initiation of further appropriate diagnostics.

Current practice of blood pressure measurement in Germany: a nationwide questionnaire-based survey in medical practices.

PURPOSE: Discrepancies exist between guideline recommendations and real-world practice of blood pressure (BP) measurements. The aim of this study was to assess, with a nationwide, questionnaire-based survey, the current practice of BP measurement and associated BP values in German medical practices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nationwide survey in German medical practices was performed in the period from 10 May 2021 to 15 August 2021. The questionnaire was divided into five sections. The current office BP (OBP) values as well as the current drug therapy were recorded. In addition, the implementation of office BP (OBP) and home BP monitoring (HBPM) was queried. For analysis, questionnaires were scanned and automatically digitised. RESULTS: A total of 7049 questionnaires were analysed, the majority of which came from general practitioners (66%) and internal medicine practices (34%). The average OBP (SD) was 140.0 (18)/82.7 (11) mmHg. 40.8% of treated patients had OBP in the controlled range, with monotherapy (34.7%) or dual combination therapy (38.2%) prescribed in most cases. OBP was taken from a single measurement in 66.3% of cases, and in 21.8% from 23 measurements. OBP was mostly measured after a rest period (87.1%) and in a separate room (80.4%). HBPM was performed in 62.3% of patients; however, in 24.9% of the participants HBP measurements were recorded once a week or less. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide survey in German medical practices, BP control remains at below 50%, while monotherapy is prescribed in around one third of patients. Moreover, office measurements and HBPM are often not performed according to current guideline recommendations.

What is the context?Elevated blood pressure (hypertension) is an important risk factor for diseases such as stroke or heart attack. However, sufficient drug therapy can significantly reduce the risk of complications such as a stroke. An adequate blood pressure measurement is the basis for diagnostics and successful therapy. In order to measure blood pressure as accurately as possible, recommendations for performing blood pressure measurements (at home as well as in the office) have been published by medical societies.Research suggests that blood pressure is not always measured according to these recommendations. However, there are no current studies for Germany.What is new?In this study, we analysed the results of a survey in which medical practices and pharmacies throughout Germany were asked about blood pressure measurement and blood pressure therapy. The key results of our study suggest that:• The blood pressure of many participants with known hypertension is not within the desired target range.• Office blood pressure measurements are often not performed as suggested by guidelines. This mainly affects time-consuming work steps such as repeating the measurement several times.• Home blood pressure is not recorded in a structured form, as suggested, but rather according to a random pattern by the patient. What is important?This study suggests that blood pressure control is not sufficient in the study participants. Furthermore, blood pressure measurement as an important tool for hypertension management is frequently not performed as proposed by guidelines.