Higher Plasma Aldosterone Concentrations Are Associated With Elevated Risk of Aortic Dissection and Aneurysm: a Case-Control Study

Abstract

Animal models demonstrate circulating aldosterone leads to aortic dissection and aneurysm, whereas data from humans are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to examine the associations of plasma aldosterone concentrations (PAC) with aortic dissection and aneurysm. We identified patients with aortic dissection and aneurysm with assessed PAC before disease onset from hospital-based electronic database and set as case group. Simultaneously, age and gender-matched cohort with PAC measurement whereas without aortic dissection and aneurysm were selected as control group using ratio of 1:4. Multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of PAC with aortic dissection and aneurysm. Totally, 133 cases and 531 controls (all hypertensive) were enrolled between 2004 and 2021, with 77.9% men, mean age of 55.5 years and PAC of 13.9 ng/dL. Case group showed significantly higher PAC(14.51 versus 13.65 ng/dL, P=0.012) than did control group. In logistic regression analysis, higher PAC exhibited 1.68-fold higher odds (95% CI, 1.14-2.48, P=0.008) for presence of aortic dissection and aneurysm, significant in adjusted model (odds ratio, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.11-2.57], P=0.015). In stratified analysis, the association between the two was observed in women of all ages and in men with coronary artery disease. Sensitivity analysis by excluding those under interfering agents at PAC measurement and those with primary aldosteronism did not change the relationship of the two. Higher PAC is associated with the increased odd for aortic dissection and aneurysm in patients with hypertension, even in the absence of primary aldosteronism, implying that PAC might be a target for prevention.