Abstract:
Objective To preliminarily explore the safety and efficacy of dynamic computed tomography (DynaCT) in adrenal artery embolization (SAAE) for the treatment of primary aldosteronism (PA).
Methods Ten PA patients with DynaCT-assisted SAAE were enrolled. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to observe the changes in blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, serum potassium and sodium levels, cortisol, and plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, aldosterone to rennin ratio (ARR) in the supine or upright position, as well as the occurrence of adverse events.
Results All 10 patients were included in the follow-up. Compared with before the operation, upright aldosterone level median (P25, P75): 19.15 (13.45, 23.10), 14.05 (7.70, 22.32), 17.20 (9.57, 25.83) vs 38.70 (30.42, 48.68) ng/dL, all P<0.05, supine aldosterone level 9.45 (6.12, 14.57), 12.10 (7.60, 16.83), 13.05 (7.48, 16.62) vs 25.95 (21.30, 34.57) ng/dL, all P<0.05, the composite drug index (CDI) of antihypertensive medications (1.65 ± 0.67, 1.34 ± 0.70, 1.24 ± 0.58 vs 2.45 ± 0. 83, all P<0.05) all decreased at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the operation; 24 h systolic blood pressure decreased 133.50 (128.50, 143.25), 135.50 (133.25, 141.50) vs 152.50 (143.50, 161.50) mmHg, all P<0.05, and serum potassium level increased (3.83 ± 0.41), (3.81 ± 0.48) vs (3.33 ± 0.30) mmol/L, all P<0.05 at 1 month and 3 months after the operation; and 24 h diastolic blood pressure decreased 81.00 (78.50, 88.50) vs 92.50 (85.75, 99.50) mmHg, P<0.05 at 1 month after the operation. No statistically significant differences were observed between preoperative and postoperative levels of serum sodium, plasma renin activity, cortisol, and ARR (P > 0.05). One case (1/10) was completely cured, with antihypertensive medications discontinued after the operation and aldosterone and blood pressure maintained at normal levels. Blood pressure and biochemical indicators improved to varying degrees in 8 cases (8/10) after the operation. One case (1/10) was invalid. The blood potassium levels of 8 patients could be maintained within the normal range without additional potassium supplementation.
Conclusions This study initially indicates that DynaCT-assisted SAAE is feasible in the treatment of PA. However, due to the small sample size, further large-sample controlled studies are still needed.