Effects of Adrenal Artery Ablation and Adrenalectomy in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism

Primary 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).