Long‐term effects of primary aldosteronism treatment on patients with primary aldosteronism and chronic kidney disease

Objective Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a major cause of secondary hypertension and is associated with chronic renal injury. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in PA rapidly decreases after the removal of glomerular hyperfiltration due to aldosterone excess by adrenalectomy (ADX) or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) treatment and is stable in the long term. However, the effects of these treatments on the long‐term renal function of PA patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not well understood. Design and Patients In this single‐center, retrospective study, acute and chronic changes in the estimated GFR (eGFR) were examined in 107 patients with PA, including 49 patients with post‐treatment CKD defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . Results The reduction in eGFR observed 1 month after ADX in the CKD group ( N = 31) was −20.1 ± 8.2 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . Multivariate analysis showed that pre‐treatment eGFR and plasma aldosterone concentration were independent predictive factors of the acute reduction in eGFR after ADX. The reduction of eGFR observed 1 month after MRA administration in the post‐treatment CKD group ( N = 18) was −9.2 ± 5.9 ml/min/1.73 m 2 . Multivariate analysis showed that the duration of hypertension and pre‐treatment eGFR were independent predictive factors of the acute reduction in eGFR after ADX administration. In 20 patients with CKD ( N = 12 ADX and N = 8 MRA) followed for more than 5 years post‐treatment, there was no further significant decline in eGFR over a follow‐up period of 7 (6, 8) years nor any difference between the two treatment modalities. Conclusions Our study suggests that treatment of PA in stage 3 CKD is safe and useful in preventing renal injury.