Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Article
  • Special Issue: Current evidence and perspectives for hypertension management in Asia
  • Published:

The impact of superselective adrenal artery embolization on renal function in patients with primary aldosteronism: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Superselective adrenal artery embolization (SAAE) is an effective treatment for patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). However, the impact of SAAE on renal function in the PA population remains uncertain. We investigated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and age, sex, body mass index, and diabetes-specific percentiles of eGFR residuals in 182 PA patients treated with SAAE in a prospective cohort from Nanchang SAAE in treating PA registry study. Data suggest that SAAE caused a significant decrease in eGFR from 91.9 ± 26.1 to 88.7 ± 24.1 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.05) after a median follow-up of 8 months in PA patients. Patients experienced a significant decrease in eGFR from 110.6 ± 18.9 to 103.8 ± 18.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.001) and a very slight increase from 71.1 ± 14.8 to 71.8 ± 17.8 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p = 0.770) with baseline eGFR ≥90 and <90 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Patients with high eGFR residuals (glomerular hyperfiltration) experienced a significant decrease in their eGFR levels from 123.1 ± 22.6 to 105.0 ± 18.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.001). In contrast, there was no significant impact of SAAE on the eGFR of patients with normal or low eGFR residuals. The very early eGFR changes (24 h after SAAE) best predicted the effect of SAAE on eGFR changes after median of eight months in PA patients. On the whole, SAAE seems to have a beneficial impact on renal function in patients with PA, the results of which vary depending on the patient’s baseline eGFR and glomerular hyperfiltration status.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Loh KC, Koay ES, Khaw MC, Emmanuel SC, Young WF Jr. Prevalence of primary aldosteronism among Asian hypertensive patients in Singapore. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000;85:2854–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Monticone S, Burrello J, Tizzani D, Bertello C, Viola A, Buffolo F, et al. Prevalence and clinical manifestations of primary aldosteronism encountered in primary care practice. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69:1811–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rossi GP, Bernini G, Caliumi C, Desideri G, Fabris B, Ferri C, et al. A prospective study of the prevalence of primary aldosteronism in 1,125 hypertensive patients. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;48:2293–300.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Calhoun DA, Nishizaka MK, Zaman MA, Thakkar RB, Weissmann P. Hyperaldosteronism among black and white subjects with resistant hypertension. Hypertension. 2002;40:892–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Funder JW, Carey RM, Mantero F, Murad MH, Reincke M, Shibata H, et al. The management of primary aldosteronism: case detection, diagnosis, and treatment: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101:1889–916.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Rossi GP, Bernini G, Desideri G, Fabris B, Ferri C, Giacchetti G, et al. Renal damage in primary aldosteronism: results of the PAPY Study. Hypertension. 2006;48:232–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Sechi LA, Novello M, Lapenna R, Baroselli S, Nadalini E, Colussi GL, et al. Long-term renal outcomes in patients with primary aldosteronism. JAMA. 2006;295:2638–45.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ribstein J, Du Cailar G, Fesler P, Mimran A. Relative glomerular hyperfiltration in primary aldosteronism. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005;16:1320–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Stavropoulos K, Papadopoulos C, Koutsampasopoulos K, Lales G, Mitas C, Doumas M. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in primary aldosteronism. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24:5508–16.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Takeda M, Yamamoto K, Akasaka H, Rakugi H, Naruse M, Takeda Y, et al. Clinical characteristics and postoperative outcomes of primary aldosteronism in the elderly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103:3620–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Williams TA, Lenders JWM, Mulatero P, Burrello J, Rottenkolber M, Adolf C, et al. Outcomes after adrenalectomy for unilateral primary aldosteronism: an international consensus on outcome measures and analysis of remission rates in an international cohort. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2017;5:689–99.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Sam D, Kline GA, So B, Przybojewski SJ, Leung AA. Unilateral disease is common in patients with primary aldosteronism without adrenal nodules. Can J Cardiol. 2021;37:269–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mulatero P, Stowasser M, Loh KC, Fardella CE, Gordon RD, Mosso L, et al. Increased diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, including surgically correctable forms, in centers from five continents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:1045–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hokotate H, Inoue H, Baba Y, Tsuchimochi S, Nakajo M. Aldosteronomas: experience with superselective adrenal arterial embolization in 33 cases. Radiology. 2003;227:401–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Sacks BA, Sacks AC, Faintuch S. Radiofrequency ablation treatment for aldosterone-producing adenomas. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2017;24:169–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fowler AM, Burda JF, Kim SK. Adrenal artery embolization: anatomy, indications, and technical considerations. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013;201:190–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Dong H, Zou Y, He J, Deng Y, Chen Y, Song L, et al. Superselective adrenal arterial embolization for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism: 12-month results from a proof-of-principle trial. Catheter Cardiovas Interv. 2021;97:976–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Qiu J, Li N, Xiong HL, Yang J, Li YD, Hu CK, et al. Superselective adrenal arterial embolization for primary aldosteronism without lateralized aldosterone secretion: an efficacy and safety, proof-of-principle study. Hypertens Res. 2023;46:1297–310.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Reincke M, Rump LC, Quinkler M, Hahner S, Diederich S, Lorenz R, et al. Risk factors associated with a low glomerular filtration rate in primary aldosteronism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94:869–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sechi LA, Di Fabio A, Bazzocchi M, Uzzau A, Catena C. Intrarenal hemodynamics in primary aldosteronism before and after treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94:1191–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Iwakura Y, Morimoto R, Kudo M, Ono Y, Takase K, Seiji K, et al. Predictors of decreasing glomerular filtration rate and prevalence of chronic kidney disease after treatment of primary aldosteronism: renal outcome of 213 cases. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99:1593–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rossi GP, Auchus RJ, Brown M, Lenders JW, Naruse M, Plouin PF, et al. An expert consensus statement on use of adrenal vein sampling for the subtyping of primary aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2014;63:151–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhu JR, Gao RL, Zhao SP, Lu GP, Zhao D, Li JJ, et al. Guidelines for prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults (2016 version). Chinese Circulation Journal. 2016;31:937–53, (in chinese).

  24. Mellitus CCGftPaTosd. Clinical Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2022 Edition). Chinese Journal of Diabetes. 2022;30:2–51.

  25. Levey AS, Coresh J, Balk E, Kausz AT, Levin A, Steffes MW, et al. National kidney foundation practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Ann Intern Med. 2003;139:137–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Rowe C, Sitch AJ, Barratt J, Brettell EA, Cockwell P, Dalton RN, et al. Biological variation of measured and estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2019;96:429–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Coresh J, Turin TC, Matsushita K, Sang Y, Ballew SH, Appel LJ, et al. Decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and subsequent risk of end-stage renal disease and mortality. JAMA. 2014;311:2518–31.

  28. Kwon SS, Lee H, Park BW, Kwon SH, Bang DW, Jeon JS, et al. Association of glomerular hyperfiltration with carotid artery plaque in the general population. Atherosclerosis. 2023;369:30–36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Moriconi D, Sacchetta L, Chiriaco M, Nesti L, Forotti G, Natali A, et al. Glomerular hyperfiltration predicts kidney function decline and mortality in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes: a 21-year longitudinal study. Diabetes Care. 2023;46:845–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. D’Angelo MW. Transcatheter alcohol embolization of an aldosteronoma. Semin Interv Radio. 2007;24:96–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Salsamendi JT, Gortes FJ, Ayala AR, Palacios JD, Tewari S, Narayanan G. Transarterial embolization of a hyperfunctioning aldosteronoma in a patient with bilateral adrenal nodules. Radio Case Rep. 2017;12:87–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Van der Walt IS, Brown M, Lodh S. Adrenal gland-sparing transcatheter embolisation of an aldosteronoma for the treatment of refractory hypertension. Radio Case Rep. 2022;17:1088–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhou Y, Wang D, Liu Q, Hou J, Wang P. Case report: percutaneous adrenal arterial embolization cures resistant hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:1013426.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  34. Kometani M, Yoneda T, Demura M, Karashima S, Mori S, Oe M, et al. The long-term effect of adrenal arterial embolization for unilateral primary aldosteronism on cardiorenovascular protection, blood pressure, and the endocrinological profile. Intern Med. 2016;55:769–73.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Inoue H, Nakajo M, Miyazono N, Nishida H, Ueno K, Hokotate H. Transcatheter arterial ablation of aldosteronomas with high-concentration ethanol: preliminary and long-term results. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997;168:1241–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhang H, Li Q, Liu X, Zhao Z, He H, Sun F, et al. Adrenal artery ablation for primary aldosteronism without apparent aldosteronoma: an efficacy and safety, proof-of-principle trial. J Clin Hypertens. 2020;22:1618–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhou Y, Liu Q, Wang X, Wan J, Liu S, Luo T, et al. Adrenal ablation versus mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism for the treatment of primary aldosteronism: a single-center prospective cohort study. Am J Hypertens. 2022;35:1014–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Sun F, Liu X, Zhang H, Zhou X, Zhao Z, He H, et al. Catheter-based adrenal ablation: an alternative therapy for patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma. Hypertens Res. 2023;46:91–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Zhao Z, Liu X, Zhang H, Li Q, He H, Yan Z, et al. Catheter-based adrenal ablation remits primary aldosteronism: a randomized medication-controlled trial. Circulation. 2021;144:580–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Huang KH, Yu CC, Hu YH, Chang CC, Chan CK, Liao SC, et al. Targeted treatment of primary aldosteronism - The consensus of Taiwan Society of Aldosteronism. J Formos Med Assoc. 2019;118:72–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kimura G, Saito F, Kojima S, Yoshimi H, Abe H, Kawano Y, et al. Renal function curve in patients with secondary forms of hypertension. Hypertension. 1987;10:11–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Adolf C, Asbach E, Dietz AS, Lang K, Hahner S, Quinkler M, et al. Worsening of lipid metabolism after successful treatment of primary aldosteronism. Endocrine. 2016;54:198–205.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Kramers BJ, Kramers C, Lenders JW, Deinum J. Effects of treating primary aldosteronism on renal function. J Clin Hypertens. 2017;19:290–95.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Utsumi T, Kamiya N, Kaga M, Endo T, Yano M, Kamijima S, et al. Development of novel nomograms to predict renal functional outcomes after laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism. World J Urol. 2017;35:1577–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Kobayashi H, Abe M, Nakamura Y, Takahashi K, Fujita M, Takeda Y, et al. Association between acute fall in estimated glomerular filtration rate after treatment for primary aldosteronism and long-term decline in renal function. Hypertension. 2019;74:630–38.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Onohara T, Takagi T, Yoshida K, Iizuka J, Okumi M, Kondo T, et al. Assessment of postoperative renal function after adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism. Int J Urol. 2019;26:229–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Lu YC, Liu KL, Wu VC, Wang SM, Lin YH, Chueh SJ, et al. Factors associated with renal function change after unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism. Int J Urol. 2022;29:831–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Kotchen TA, Piering AW, Cowley AW, Grim CE, Gaudet D, Hamet P, et al. Glomerular hyperfiltration in hypertensive African Americans. Hypertension. 2000;35:822–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Funding

The present study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81960088).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yi-Fei Dong.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lai, ZQ., Fu, Y., Liu, JW. et al. The impact of superselective adrenal artery embolization on renal function in patients with primary aldosteronism: a prospective cohort study. Hypertens Res 47, 944–958 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-023-01503-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-023-01503-8

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links