Primary aldosteronism was associated with significantly higher common carotid intima-media thickness compared to essential hypertension (0.987 vs 0.892 mm; adjusted P=0.001).
Cross-Sectional (n=118)
Does primary aldosteronism increase carotid intima-media thickness compared to essential hypertension and healthy controls?
Primary aldosteronism is associated with increased common carotid intima-media thickness compared to essential hypertension, suggesting a deleterious effect of aldosterone excess on arterial wall remodeling.
Absolute Event Rate: 0.987% vs 0.892%
p-value: p=0.001
BACKGROUND: Aldosterone contributes to the accumulation of collagen fibers and extracellular matrix in arterial wall. The aim of this study was to compare intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery and carotid bifurcation in patients with primary aldosteronism, essential hypertension and healthy controls. METHODS: Carotid ultrasound studies were carried out in 33 patients aged 42-72 years with primary aldosteronism, 52 patients with essential hypertension and in 33 normotensive controls. RESULTS: The patients with primary aldosteronism had significantly higher IMT of the common carotid artery than patients with essential hypertension and controls (0.987 +/- 0.152 mm; 0.892 +/- 0.154 mm versus 0.812 +/- 0.124 mm; P < 0.001; P < 0.05). There was also significantly higher IMT of the common carotid in patients with essential hypertension compared to control group (0.892 +/- 0.154 mm versus 0.812 +/- 0.124 mm; P < 0.01). The differences between both hypertensive groups remained statistically significant after adjustment for age and 24-h systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001). The differences of the IMT in the carotid bifurcation were statistically significant only between patients with primary aldosteronism and controls (1.157 +/- 0.243 mm versus 0.994 +/- 0.199 mm; P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with primary aldosteronism have increased common carotid IMT compared to the patients with essential hypertension. This finding could be caused by the deleterious effects of aldosterone excess on the fibrosis and thickening of the arterial wall, mainly in the straight segments of vessels.
Holaj et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension (n=118). Primary aldosteronism vs. Essential hypertension and healthy controls was evaluated on Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (p=0.001). Primary aldosteronism was associated with significantly higher common carotid intima-media thickness compared to essential hypertension (0.987 vs 0.892 mm; adjusted P=0.001).