Key result
Primary aldosteronism linked to ~39% higher RV mass index and impaired GLS versus controls.
Why the study?
While aldosterone excess has a detrimental impact on the left ventricle, no data exist concerning right ventricular function in patients with primary aldosteronism.
Does primary aldosteronism alter right ventricular structure and function compared to healthy controls?
Case-Control (n=60)
Does primary aldosteronism alter right ventricular structure and function compared to healthy controls?
Absolute Event Rate: 18.9% vs 13.6%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Primary aldosteronism is associated with increased right ventricular mass and subclinical right ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Should not yet change practice; hypothesis-generating for RV effects in primary aldosteronism.
Background/Objectives: While aldosterone excess has a detrimental impact on the left ventricle, no data exist concerning right ventricular (RV) function in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients. We aimed to assess RV structure and function in patients with PA using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Thirty PA patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were studied. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance with the assessment of RV structure and function. Results: Neither the RV mass index (RVMi) nor the RV ejection fraction (RVEF) correlated with the aldosterone levels (p = 0.36 and p = 0.37, respectively). On the contrary, we found a weak positive correlation between the RV end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVi) and aldosterone concentration (rho = 0.5, p = 0.005). Neither the RVEDVi nor the RVEF differed between the PA patients and the control group (p = 0.077 and p = 0.93, respectively). The RVMi was higher in the PA group, at 18.9 (4.9) g/m2, versus 13.6 (3.2) g/m2 (SD) in the control group (p < 0.0001). The RVEDVi was positively correlated with the duration of hypertension (rho = 0.4, p = 0.03), and the latter was correlated inversely with the RVEF (rho = −0.47, p = 0.009). The RV global longitudinal strain was impaired in PA patients in comparison with the controls (−16.8 (2.5%) versus −19.6 (2.7%), p = 0.0001). Conclusions: The PA patients exhibited larger RVMi values than the controls. The higher the aldosterone levels were, the higher the observed RVEDVi. Additionally, the longer the duration of hypertension, the higher the observed RVEDVi and the lower the noted RVEF. The PA patients exhibited subclinical RV systolic dysfunction, expressed as impaired RV global longitudinal strain.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Śpiewak et al. (2025) conducted a case-control in Primary aldosteronism (n=60). Primary aldosteronism vs. Healthy volunteers was evaluated on Right ventricular mass index (RVMi) (p=<0.0001). Primary aldosteronism was associated with higher right ventricular mass index (18.9 vs 13.6 g/m2; p<0.0001) and impaired global longitudinal strain (-16.8% vs -19.6%; p=0.0001) versus controls.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: