Intrarenal Hemodynamics in Primary Aldosteronism before and after Treatment

CONTEXT: Elevated urinary albumin excretion has been reported in primary aldosteronism and might partially reflect reversible abnormalities initiated by glomerular hyperfiltration. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the outcome of renal function and intrarenal Doppler velocimetric indices in primary aldosteronism. DESIGN: We conducted a prospective study of patients with primary aldosteronism who were reevaluated 1 yr after either adrenalectomy or treatment with spironolactone. SETTING: The study was conducted at a university referral center. PATIENTS: Fifty-four patients with tumoral or idiopathic aldosteronism were followed after either surgical (n = 24) or medical (n = 30) treatment. Patients with primary aldosteronism were compared with 100 patients with primary hypertension and comparable severity and duration of disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in renal function and intrarenal echo-Doppler indices were measured. RESULTS: Patients with primary aldosteronism had greater creatinine clearance and urinary albumin excretion than patients with primary hypertension. Patients with primary aldosteronism and creatinine clearance above the median (105 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) had significantly lower resistance and pulsatility index than patients with creatinine clearance below the median, independent of disease subtype. After 1 yr, creatinine clearance and albuminuria declined, and resistance and pulsatility index increased to the same extent in patients with primary aldosteronism treated with either adrenalectomy or spironolactone. Changes in glomerular filtration and albuminuria were inversely related with baseline values of the resistance index. In primary hypertension, echo-Doppler velocimetric indices did not change during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In primary aldosteronism, sonographic evidence of decreased intrarenal vascular resistance is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration. Both adrenalectomy and spironolactone revert the intrarenal hemodynamic pattern and decrease urinary protein losses.