Use Of Adrenal Vein Sampling Research Articles

Primary aldosteronism subtyping in the setting of partially successful adrenal vein sampling.

Background and aims:Frequent failure of adrenal vein (AV) cannulation is a major obstacle to the universal use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) for subtyping primary aldosteronism (PA). This study aimed to confirm and modify the value of a previously reported AVS parameter for PA subtyping in the case of cannulation failure on one side.Methods:Successfully catheterized AVS studies in 157 patients (121 patients as a derivation cohort and 36 patients as a validation cohort) from two tertiary hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. The AV/inferior vena cava (IVC) index was defined by dividing the aldosterone/cortisol ratio (ACR) of AV by the ACR of the IVC. Cutoff values for lateralized PA were obtained from two methods: scatterplots and the values corresponding to Youden’s index in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, on the assumption of catheterization failure on one side.Results:Due to multiple samplings in a single AVS procedure, 252 left AV/IVC ratios (LIRs) and 272 right AV/IVC ratios (RIRs) were calculated. Scatterplot cutoffs of LIR >5.4 or <0.5 predicted unilateral PA with a sensitivity of 42.1% and a specificity of 98.6%. Scatterplot cutoffs of RIR <0.5 or >7.0 showed a sensitivity of 55.1% and a specificity of 98.6%. ROC curve cutoffs of LIR ⩽0.8 or >3.1 predicted unilateral PA with a sensitivity of 82.5% and a specificity of 69.6%. ROC curve cutoffs of RIR ⩽0.8 or >3.9 resulted in 87.4% sensitivity and 80.7% specificity.Conclusion:In the case of unilateral AVS failure, the AV/IVC index may help in diagnosing PA subtype.

Androstenedione and 17-α-Hydroxyprogesterone Are Better Indicators of Adrenal Vein Sampling Selectivity Than Cortisol.

For identification of potentially surgically curable primary aldosteronism, guidelines recommend use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) that requires selective catheterization of both adrenal veins as verified by using the cortisol-derived selectivity index. Unfortunately, bilaterally selective studies are not obtained under unstimulated conditions in a proportion of the cases ranging between 15% and 50% depending on the cutoff used. We therefore investigated whether 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione, which showed a higher step-up between adrenal vein and inferior vena cava blood than cortisol, can ascertain selectivity when cortisol failed to do so. We prospectively recruited 32 hypertensive patients with confirmed primary aldosteronism, who underwent bilaterally simultaneous sampling without cosyntropin stimulation and with the same predefined AVS protocol. All were consecutively selected because of a cortisol-based selectivity index <2.00 in at least one of the paired adrenal vein blood samples collected as per protocol. Results showed that the values of the selectivity index based on 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione were higher (P<0.01) on average by 1.6- and 12-fold, respectively, than those based on cortisol. With use of these steroids, we rescued 43% and 73% of the AVS, respectively, from being judged nonselective. Thus, in challenging patients with primary aldosteronism submitted to AVS use of 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone, and even more so of androstenedione, for ascertaining selectivity allows demonstration of correct catheter placement in a proportion of AVS studies better than cortisol. Thus, replacing cortisol measurement with these steroids, and particularly androstenedione, can improve the diagnostic yield of AVS.

LATERALIZATION CRITERIA IN ADRENAL VEIN SAMPLING IN PATIENSWITH PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM BY HIGH EFFECTIVE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Analysis of the use of adrenal vein sampling for differential diagnosis of the main forms of primary aldosteronism is presented in the article. Coefficient of lateralization was specified by high effective liquid chromatography of blood corticosteroids. This data is useful for differential diagnosis of the main forms of primary aldosteronism in the cases with boundary values of coefficient of lateralization.

Influence of diagnostic criteria on the interpretation of adrenal vein sampling.

Guidelines promote the use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) to document lateralized aldosterone hypersecretion in primary aldosteronism. However, there are large discrepancies between institutions in the criteria used to interpret its results. This study evaluates the consequences of these differences on the classification and management of patients. The results of all 537 AVS procedures performed between January 2001 and July 2010 in our institution were interpreted with 4 diagnostic criteria used in experienced institutions where AVS is performed without cosyntropin (Brisbane, Padua, Paris, and Turin) and with criteria proposed by a recent consensus statement. AVS procedures were classified as unsuccessful, lateralized, or not lateralized according to each set of criteria. Almost 5× more AVS procedures were classified as unsuccessful with the strictest criteria than with the least strict criteria (18% versus 4%, respectively). Similarly, over 2× more AVS procedures were classified as lateralized with the least stringent criteria than with the most stringent criteria (60% versus 26%, respectively). Multiple samples were available from ≥1 side for 155 AVS procedures. These procedures were classified differently by ≥2 right-left sample pairs in 12% to 20% of cases. Thus, different sets of criteria used to interpret AVS in experienced institutions translate into heterogeneous classifications and hence management decisions, for patients with primary aldosteronism. Defining the most appropriate procedures and diagnostic criteria is needed for AVS to achieve optimal performance and fully justify its status as a gold standard.

An Expert Consensus Statement on Use of Adrenal Vein Sampling for the Subtyping of Primary Aldosteronism

Adrenal venous sampling is recommended by current guidelines to identify surgically curable causes of hyperaldosteronism but remains markedly underused. Key factors contributing to the poor use of adrenal venous sampling include the prevailing perceptions that it is a technically challenging procedure, difficult to interpret, and can be complicated by adrenal vein rupture. In addition, the lack of uniformly accepted standards for the performance of adrenal venous sampling contributes to its limited use. Hence, an international panel of experts working at major referral centers was assembled to provide updated advice on how to perform and interpret adrenal venous sampling. To this end, they were asked to use the PICO (Patient or Problem, Intervention, Control or comparison, Outcome) strategy to gather relevant information from the literature and to rely on their own experience. The level of evidence/recommendation was provided according to American Heart Association gradings whenever possible. A consensus was reached on several key issues, including the selection and preparation of the patients for adrenal venous sampling, the procedure for its optimal performance, and the interpretation of its results for diagnostic purposes even in the most challenging cases.

Uncertainty in the selective use of adrenal vein sampling

A recent retrospective study assessed the use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) in conjunction with CT to help in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism subtypes. On the basis of their findings, Sarlon-Bartoli et al. conclude that AVS is essential in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism and that all patients, regardless of adrenal CT findings, should undergo AVS prior to surgery.

Is Adrenal Venous Sampling Necessary in All Patients with Hyperaldosteronism before Adrenalectomy?

To evaluate whether selective rather than universal use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS) may be warranted in patients with hyperaldosteronism to characterize and lateralize disease before adrenalectomy. Fifty-nine consecutive patients with biochemically diagnosed hyperaldosteronism underwent unilateral adrenalectomy at a single center during a 10-year period. In one group (n = 30), adrenalectomy was based on computed tomography (CT) only; in another (n = 29), it was based on CT and AVS. The indication for AVS was equivocal CT finding (n = 26) or patient request (n = 3). Outcome variables were postoperative serum potassium and aldosterone levels, number of hypertensive medications, and mean arterial blood pressure at 6 months. Preoperatively, both groups were matched for age, years of hypertension, mean arterial blood pressure, and number of hypertensive medications. Average tumor sizes were 2 cm (range, 1-3 cm) in the CT-only group and 1 cm (range, 0-2.5 cm) in the CT/AVS group. Unilateral tumor was identified on CT in 30 patients (100%) in the CT-only group and in 17 patients (59%) in the CT/AVS group (P < .05). Postoperatively, aldosterone levels were lower in the CT-only group (6.3 ng/dL +/- 5.9 vs 13.5 ng/dL +/- 16; P < .05). Both groups had similar improvements in mean arterial blood pressure at 6 months (92 mm Hg +/- 12 vs 96 mm Hg +/- 9; P = .14), reductions in number of hypertensive medications (to 1.1 +/- 1.3 vs 1.2 +/- 1.1; P = .4), and improvements in hypokalemia (3.8 mEq/L +/- 0.5 vs 3.8 mEq/L +/- 0.5; P = .5). The clinical impact of adrenalectomy was similar in both groups. CT can be used to reliably diagnose adenomas larger than 1.0 cm. AVS should be used when CT findings are equivocal or both adrenal glands are abnormal.

Will the Lessons From Primary Aldosteronism Change the Treatment of Hypertension and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy?

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system effectively defends against volume depletion, but in most developed nations, dietary sodium is high, and aldosterone production should be suppressed. The syndrome of primary aldosteronism demonstrates the consequences of autonomous aldosterone production in a sodium-replete society. For many years, primary aldosteronism was thought to be an esoteric disorder only diagnosed by academicians at a handful of institutions worldwide. Conn, Biglieri, Bravo, and others characterized the syndrome and developed diagnostic strategies circa 1960–1980. Most clinicians, however, could not execute these algorithms, and management was unsatisfactory because of poor methods for localizing aldosterone production and limited options for medical management. Interest shifted to other mechanisms of hypertension, but during the last 20 years, the advent of commercial assays for renin and aldosterone, the broader use of adrenal vein sampling, and the development of selective aldosterone antagonists have rejuvenated interest in primary aldosteronism.1 Furthermore, end-organ damage is more severe in primary aldosteronism than in essential hypertension, and considerable evidence implicates the activation of mineralocorticoid receptors in these tissues as the mechanism. Implicit in this aldosterone renaissance is the importance of making the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism to allow implementation of tailored therapy. Proteinuria is more prevalent in patients with primary aldosteronism than in those with essential hypertension,2 and the excess proteinuria largely reverses after treatment with surgery or spironolactone.3 Thus, the benefits reaped from the detection of primary aldosteronism and the implementation of targeted therapy extend beyond optimal control of blood pressure. Another malady associated with primary aldosteronism is left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH).4 LVH is associated with adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.5 Therapy, which leads to regression of LVH in hypertensive subjects, reduces these risks.6 Despite the importance of LVH as a risk factor and the high prevalence of LVH in primary …

New concepts in adrenal vein sampling for aldosterone in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism

Improved diagnostic techniques and adoption of a systematic and thorough diagnostic workup can lead to identification of the surgically correctable forms of primary aldosteronism (PA) far more frequently than expected. Adrenalectomy can provide long-term normalization of blood pressure and correction of PA in most patients with an aldosterone-producing adenoma. Forms needing surgical correction are generally held to be less common than forms requiring medical therapy; however, this can be a misconception arising from the lack of systematic use of adrenal vein sampling (AVS). Currently AVS still remains the "gold standard" for identifying unilateral causes of PA that are surgically curable. The criteria for selecting patients to undergo AVS, the technique for performing AVS, and the criteria for analyzing and interpreting its results are summarized here.