血浆醛固酮与肾素活性比值在原发性醛固酮增多症筛查中的应用现状及影响因素

血浆醛固酮与肾素活性比值(ARR)是原发性醛固酮增多症(PA)的一个敏感筛查指标,也是评价PA手术预后的指标之一。探讨血浆醛固酮与肾素活性比值测定的影响因素特别是药物、盐负荷和体位的影响对提高ARR的筛查效率具有重要意义。本文就ARR目前的应用情况,测定条件的优化做一介绍。     

血浆醛固酮/肾素活性比值——一个敏感的原发性醛固酮增多症的筛查指标

血浆醛固酮／肾素活性比值（ARR）是一个敏感的原发性醛固酮增多症（PA）的筛查指标，ARR的应用使高血压人群中PA的检出率明显增加。但目前ARR仍是一个非标准化的筛选方法，不同研究所采用的ARR切点差别很大，故应对ARR进行更深入和系统的研究，以提高ARR筛查方法的准确性。     

原发性醛固酮增多症的内分泌功能诊断

原发性醛固酮增多症(原醛症)是继发性高血压最常见的原因之一,以低肾素和高醛固酮血症为特征,血浆醛固酮/肾素比值(ARR)是筛查原醛症的可靠指标.而口服高钠负荷试验、生理盐水试验、氟氯可的松抑制试验或卡托普利试验中的任何一项均可作为ARR阳性患者的确诊试验;肾上腺静脉插管采血(AVS)是原醛症分型诊断的金标准.     

醛固酮/肾素比值在原发性醛固酮增多症筛查中的临床价值

目的 回顾分析瑞金医院内分泌科近5年怀疑原发性醛固酮增多症患者的资料,用受试者工作特征( receiver operating characteristic,ROC)曲线下面积评估醛固酮/肾素比值(aldosterone to renin ratio,ARR)在诊断原发性醛固酮增多症(原醛症)中的临床价值.方法 收集瑞金医院内分泌科2006年1月至2010年8月行卧位及立位ARR测定的590例怀疑原发性醛固酮增多症入院患者的临床资料,其中确诊为原醛症的患者357例,确诊为原发性高血压的患者233例.分析瑞金医院内分泌科2010年9月至2011年4月行随机及立位ARR测定的100例怀疑原醛症患者的临床资料,其中确诊为原醛症的患者29例,确诊为原发性高血压的患者71例.综合分析卧位、立位及随机ARR ROC曲线,以确定合适的切点用于诊断原发性醛固酮增多症.结果 2006年1月至2010年8月行卧位及立位ARR测定的590例患者卧位ARRROC曲线下面积为0.838(0.805～0.867),立位ARR ROC曲线下面积为0.873(0.843 ～0.899),两曲线下面积比较有显著差异(P＜0.01).2010年9月至2011年4月行立位及随机ARR测定的100例患者立位及随机ARR ROC曲线下面积分别为0.962(0.928 ～0.995)及0.944(0.893 ～0.994),两者比较无显著差异(P＞0.05).立位ARR切点为400(pg· ml-1)/(ng·ml-1·h-1)时,诊断原醛症患者的敏感性为91.9％,特异性为64.2％.结论 立位ARR比卧位ARR更适应作为原醛症的筛查指标,随机ARR与立位ARR在原醛症诊断中具有相似的临床价值.本研究认为,在严格控制患者药物、体位、检测时间条件下,ARR切点400( pg·ml-1)/(ng·ml-1·h-1)是原醛症筛查试验比较合适的切点.     

在高血压患者中筛选原发性醛固酮增多症国人血浆醛固酮/肾素活性比值标准的探讨

目的血浆醛固酮/血浆肾素活性比值(ARR)测定是目前从高血压患者中检出原发性醛固酮增多症(原醛)患者最常用和有效的筛选方法。ARR 值在不同人种中有很大差别,测定条件对其结果影响较大。本研究在严格控制药物、体位等条件下,建立中国人筛选原醛 ARR 值。方法根据肾上腺增强 CT 检查结果,将110例高血压患者分为原发性高血压组(65例)和肾上腺腺瘤/增生组(45例)。停用对肾素和醛固酮分泌有影响的降压药物至少2周,利尿剂包括螺内酯停用4周。对于不宜停服降压药物的患者,改服非双氢吡啶类钙拮抗剂维拉帕米缓释片(varapamil-SR)和(或)α受体阻滞剂特拉唑嗪(terazosin)。低血钾患者补钾至正常水平。采血日晨起保持立位2 h 后,于上午9～10点立位取肘静脉血测定血浆肾素活性、血浆醛固酮浓度,计算 ARR。结果 ARR 值以醛固酮 pg/ml/肾素活性 ng·ml~(-1)·h~(-1)为单位。立位 ARR 值在原发性高血压组为100.00±48.65,肾上腺腺瘤/增生组为699.33±213.33。由 ROC 曲线所得切割值为240,立位 ARR 较卧位 ARR 更有筛查价值。在肾上腺腺瘤/增生组93.3%(42/45)患者的 ARR 值高于240,原发性高血压组90.7%(59/65)患者ARR 值低于该值。取 ARR 值240为切割点,我们从近178例高血压患者中检出15例原醛患者(手术病理证实),所有15例患者 ARR 均大于240,显示极高的敏感性和特异性。结论采用本研究试验条件,中国人立位 ARR 值为240。ARR 测定是一项简便、有效的原醛筛查方法,测定时须注意体位、药物、血钾的影响。     

血浆醛固酮/肾素活性比值在诊断原发性醛固酮增多症患者的价值

目的采用血浆醛固酮/肾素活性比值(ARR)在高血压患者中筛选原发性醛固酮增多症(原醛)病例,治疗和随访患者、分析其临床特点,从而探讨原醛的临床特点和 ARR 在原醛诊断中的价值。方法收集门诊和住院的高血压患者902例(其中3级高血压609例),空腹采血并用放射免疫方法测定血浆肾素和醛固酮水平及血生化指标,计算 ARR。对比值大于25(ng/dl 比ng·ml~(-1)·h~(-1))的126例疑诊为原醛的病例进行肾上腺薄层 CT 扫描,分析其临床特点、用抗醛固酮药物治疗并进行随访。结果原醛在高血压人群中占14%(126/902),肾上腺 CT 见54例单侧或双侧增生和25例腺瘤;原醛合并低血钾占39%(49/126);25例患者接受外科治疗,有效率100%,其中48%(12/25)能达到治愈;用螺内酯治疗有效率为89%(48/54),单药控制率为24%(13/54)。结论中国人原醛占高血压10%以上,ARR 应作为高血压尤其是重度和难治性高血压患者的常规检查,ARR 在原醛诊断中有重要意义,可以提高原醛的诊断率。     

苏北地区ALD,ARR,ALD联合ARR诊断原发性醛固酮增多症的价值

目的:评估血浆醛固酮(ALD)、醛固酮/肾素活性比值(ARR)、ALD联合ARR在高血压患者中对原发性醛固酮增多症(PA)的诊断价值.方法:收集于我院和医联体医院就诊的346例ARR＞15的高血压患者.根据卡托普利试验(CCT)/静脉盐水负荷试验(SIT)结果,患者被分为原发性高血压(EH)组(237例)和PA组(10...     

88例原发性醛固酮增多症临床回顾分析

目的提高对原发性醛固酮增多症（简称原醛）的诊治水平。方法回顾性分析88例原醛患者的临床资料。结果血压水平、血浆醛固酮浓度（PAC）升高,血浆肾素活性（PRA）、血清钾离子浓度下降。醛固酮瘤占84．09％,特发性醛固酮增多症（简称特醛症）占15．91％。95．45％患者的血浆醛固酮／血浆肾素活性比值（ARR）〉20。醛固酮瘤患者具有更高的血浆醛固酮水平及更低的血浆肾素活性和血清钾离子浓度。结论ARR是原醛的重要筛查方法;卧立位试验及CT有助于肾上腺皮质腺瘤和增生的鉴别。     

血浆醛固酮与肾素比值阴性的原发性醛固酮增多症诊断（附1例分析）

目的 分析总结1例血浆醛固酮与肾素比值（ARR）阴性的原发性醛固酮增多症（PA）患者的诊断过程,提高临床对该病的认识。方法 回顾性分析1例ARR阴性的PA患者的临床资料,总结其诊疗过程。结果 患者男,44岁,阵发性头晕,出汗、乏力,发作时测血压高,曾应用多种降压药物治疗效果不佳。其舅舅和女儿均患特发性醛固酮增多症,患者查ARR阴性,卡托普利试验结果显示服药2 h后醛固酮浓度未被抑制,体位试验结果显示立位醛固酮浓度升高,肾上腺增强CT示右侧肾上腺外侧支结节,基因检测未见异常,PA诊断明确,考虑特发性醛固酮增多症可能性大。给予螺内酯联合硝苯地平控释片、琥珀酸美托洛尔缓释片降压治疗,患者血压控制可,头晕、出汗症状较前好转,出院继续联合降压治疗。结论 对于临床怀疑PA但ARR阴性的患者,应考虑有无其他因素致ARR假阴性,尤其是降压药物的影响,行确证试验排除或明确诊断。     

云南省居民的肾素和醛固酮水平

目的 了解云南省居民肾素和醛固酮水平。方法 收集“2020年中国居民心血管病及其危险因素监测”项目中云南省入选的调查对象9 996人,调查对象于清晨空腹采集立位血液标本,应用全自动化学发光免疫分析仪(LIAISON°XL,type2210)检测立位血浆醛固酮浓度(PAC)、直接肾素浓度(DRC),计算醛固酮与肾素比值(ARR);对PAC、DRC、ARR使用百分位数法计算双侧的参考范围,分别计算2.5、97.5百分位数(P_2.5,P_97.5)及5、95百分位数(P₅,P₉₅)的参考值,并分析年龄、性别、体重指数和海拔等与PAC、DRC、ARR的关系。结果 调查对象立位PAC、DRC、ARR检测数值均不服从正态分布,三项指标拟定参考范围分别为,PAC(P_2.5,P_97.5):(2.77,28.80)ng/dL;DRC(P₅,P₉₅):(3.14,82.78)mU/L;ARR(P_2.5,P     

Effects of circadian rhythms, posture, and medication on renin-aldosterone interrelations in essential hypertensives

BACKGROUND: The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is frequently used to screen primary hyperaldosteronism. This study, part of a clinical trial, was designed to measure the influence of circadian rhythms, antihypertensive drugs, and body posture on plasma renin, on aldosterone, and on their interrelation. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-designed protocol, 57 essential hypertensives (41 men, 16 women) were randomized to a morning dose of telmisartan (80 mg), ramipril (10 mg), or amlodipine (10 mg) for 8 weeks. At baseline and after 8 weeks of therapy, blood pressure (BP), plasma renin (in nanograms per liter), and plasma aldosterone (in picomoles per liter) concentrations were assessed in the supine position every 4 h for 24 h and after 10 min of standing at 9 am. RESULTS: There was no significant association between renin, aldosterone, the ARR and demographic factors, or BP. Circadian variations of plasma renin and aldosterone were clearly present. Aldosterone variations were of greater relative amplitude with earlier-occurring peaks than renin. The ARR exhibited statistically and clinically significant circadian variations with the low and peak values averaging 55.9 +/- 32.3 and 161.84 +/- 85.4 pmol/L/ng/dL, respectively. Telmisartan, ramipril, and amlodipine significantly decreased the ARR. Telmisartan had the greatest influence on the ARR. Posture had a clinically significant but statistically nonsignificant effect on the ARR. CONCLUSIONS: Renin, aldosterone, and their interrelation are influenced by circadian rhythms, telmisartan, ramipril, and amlodipine in patients with essential hypertension. Telmisartan has a greater impact on these parameters than ramipril and amlodipine. Measurement of the ARR in treated hypertensive patients should take these influences into account.     

The use of aldosterone-renin ratio as a diagnostic test for primary hyperaldosteronism and its test characteristics under different conditions of blood sampling

Recent reviews recommended the use of the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) to screen for primary hyperaldosteronism. However, widely different cutoff levels have been proposed, and test characteristics of ARR under different conditions of sampling are not known. We conducted a retrospective review among 45 subjects with carefully validated diagnoses of primary hyperaldosteronism and 17 subjects with essential hypertension to study the utility of ARR. Sixty-two patients with 75 sets of plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, and ARR values from a postural study and 48 sets of values from a saline suppression test were analyzed. Ninety-four percent of these subjects underwent investigations because of hypokalemic hypertension.ARR yielded larger areas under the curve in the receiver-operating-characteristics curve than PRA or aldosterone under all conditions of testing. Our results confirmed the superiority of ARR to either aldosterone or PRA alone as a diagnostic test for primary hyperaldosteronism.ARR cutoff levels were significantly affected by the condition of testing. Depending on posture and time of day, it varied from 13.1-35.0 ng/dl per ng/ml.h in our study population. When using ARR for screening primary hyperaldosteronism, posture and time of sampling should be standardized both within and between centers to minimize variability in cutoff levels.     

Ratio of serum aldosterone to plasma renin concentration in essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism.

The ratio of serum aldosterone to plasma renin activity (PRA) has been proposed as sensitive screening method in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism under random conditions. However, the method for determination of renin activity is hampered by the necessity of ice cooling during storage and transport. The present study was therefore conducted to examine the ratio of serum aldosterone to plasma renin concentration (ARR) and its usefulness in diagnosis of primary aldosteronism under ambulatory conditions and given antihypertensive medication. 146 patients with arterial hypertension who consecutively attended the outpatient clinic were studied prospectively. Patients with secondary hypertension besides primary aldosteronism were not included in the series. 37 normotensive patients served as control. Also, 17 patients with known primary aldosteronism were retrospectively examined. Among the hypertensive group 2 patients with Conn's syndrome were newly detected (1.4%). ARR was 7.92 +/- 6.04 [pg/ml]/[pg/ml] in normotensive controls (range from 2.03 to 26.98), 14.61 +/- 18.50 [pg/ml]/[pg/ml] in patients with essential hypertension (n = 144, range from 0.41 to 115.45) and 155.92 +/- 127.84 [pg/ml]/[pg/ml] in patients with primary aldosteronism (n = 19, range from 6.75 to 515). 17 of the 19 patients with Conn's syndrome had an ARR of more than 50. Under ongoing drug treatment this represents a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 96%. Sensitivity decreased to 84% and specificity increased to 100% when a second criteria (aldosterone > or = 200 pg/ml) was included. In summary, ARR using renin concentration is a useful screening parameter for primary aldosteronism.     

Partial remission of metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma with sunitinib. Report of a case and review of the literature

The ratio of aldosterone-to-renin activity is currently recommended as a screening test for primary aldosteronism (PA). There are many factors interfering the interpretation of aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) and could hamper in-time diagnosis of PA. Here, we first report a patient with underlying Page phenomenon and an accidentally disclosed adrenal incidentaloma. High renin secretion from Page phenomenon had masked higher ARR into normal ARR obscuring the diagnosis of PA. However, adrenal venous sampling (AVS) confirmed the autonomous aldosterone secretion with left adrenal vein plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) 124.1 ng/dl and a lateralization ratio 3.3. AVS may discriminate masked PA due to high renin secretion from Page kidney. It is suggested that clinicians should cautiously interpret aldosterone-renin ratio and consider diagnostic AVS if hyperaldosteronism is highly suspected especially in the background of other secondary hypertension.     

Active renin versus plasma renin activity to define aldosterone-to-renin ratio for primary aldosteronism

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the assessment of the plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) has become an established screening method for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. Plasma renin activity (PRA) is usually measured to define ARR although, increasingly, renin concentration alone is often measured in clinical routine. OBJECTIVE: To determine the threshold of ARR using active renin concentration to screen for primary aldosteronism. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: To determine the ARR threshold based on plasma immunoreactive renin concentration (irR), we measured plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), irR and PRA in 36 hypertensive patients, nine thereof with adrenal adenoma, and compared ARRs calculated from irR and PRA, respectively. SETTING: Single-centre, hypertension clinic in a tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: PRA ranged from 0.41-14.9 ng/ml per h and irR from 1.1-72 ng/l. There was an excellent correlation between PRA and irR (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001) and between ARRPRA and ARRirR (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001). An ARRPRA > 750 pmol/l per ng/ml per h was previously found to be highly predictive of primary aldosteronism because 90% of the corresponding patients failed to suppress PAC upon saline infusion or fludrocortisone. The corresponding threshold value for ARRirR was 150 pmol/ng in our patients. Using these cut-offs, nine subjects had both increased ARRPRA and ARRirR while, in three patients, either ARRPRA or ARRirR were increased. The nine patients with increased ARRPRA and ARRirR also had PAC > 650 pmol/l. Only these patients had adrenal adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: The ARR threshold to screen for primary aldosteronism may be based on measurement of irR. An ARRirR > 150 pmol/ng may indicate primary aldosteronism.     

Validity of plasma aldosterone-to-renin activity ratio in African American and white subjects with resistant hypertension

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggesting that primary aldosteronism (PA) is more common than historically thought have often relied on use of the plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) to plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio (ARR) to identify patients with PA. Prior determinations of the validity of the ARR had been generally limited to subjects that could be withdrawn from antihypertensive therapy and to non-African American subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: The current study was designed to evaluate prospectively the diagnostic value of the ARR in treated African American and white subjects with resistant hypertension. Consecutive subjects referred to a university hypertension clinic for resistant hypertension were evaluated with an early morning ARR and a 24-h urinary aldosterone and sodium. The presence of PA was defined as a suppressed PRA (<1.0 ng/mL/h) and elevated urinary aldosterone excretion (>12 microg/24 h) during high dietary sodium ingestion (>200 mEq/24 h). In 58 subjects, PA was confirmed. The ARR was elevated (>20) in 45 of 58 subjects with PA and in 35 of the 207 patients without PA, resulting in a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 83% with a corresponding positive predictive value of 56% and a negative predictive value of 93%. Among African American subjects, the ARR was less sensitive than in white subjects (75% v 80%), but it still had a high negative predictive value (92% v 94%). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the ARR is valid as a screening test for PA in African American and white patients on stable antihypertensive treatments, but a high percentage of false-positive results precludes using it for accurate diagnosis of PA.     

The association between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and arterial stiffness in young healthy subjects

Aldosterone might affect arterial stiffening, in both the short- and long-term. We investigated a possible association between excess aldosterone, reflected by an increased aldosterone : renin ratio (ARR) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in young healthy adults. In a single-centre study, 60 subjects were evaluated for lipid profile, glucose, hs-CRP, renin and aldosterone. PWV was performed as a simple non-invasive recording and computer analysis of the two artery sites pressure waveform using SphygmoCor (version 7.1, AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia). The ARR was significantly, positively associated with PWV: r = 0.298, P = 0.02. ARR was not associated with anthropometric variables, blood pressure (BP), metabolic and inflammatory parameters. In conclusion, the ARR was significantly associated with PWV and may exhibit direct effects of aldosterone on the vascular wall, which are not related to changes in conventional cardiovascular risk factors.     

Effect of postural changes on aldosterone to plasma renin ratio in patients with suspected secondary hypertension

AimsTo study the influence of postural changes on aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) in patients with suspected secondary hypertension and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the recommended seated ARR compared to supine and upright ARR for primary aldosteronism screening.MethodsFifty-three hypertensive patients were prospectively hospitalized for secondary hypertension exploration (age: 51 ± 12, 66% males). After withdrawal of drugs interfering with renin angiotensin system, plasma aldosterone and direct renin concentration were measured in the morning, at bed after an overnight supine position, then out of bed after 1 hour of upright position and finally 2 hours later after 15 minutes of seating. Minimal renin value was set at 5 μUI/mL.ResultsReferring to ARR cut-off of 23 pg/μUI, the sensitivity of seated ARR was 57.1% and specificity was 92.3%. The negative and positive predictive values were 95.1% and 45.2% respectively. Compared to these results, a cut-off of 19 improved sensitivity to 85.7% with a specificity of 89.7%. Negative and positive predictive values were 98.3% and 41.1% respectively. Seated ARR mean value was lower than supine and upright ARR mean values, due to an overall increase in renin at seating compared to the supine position by factor 1.9 while aldosterone just slightly increased by factor 1.2. Seated ARR correlated to supine and upright ARR: correlation coefficients (r) 0.90 and 0.93 respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsCurrent recommended measurement of ARR in the seating position is fairly correlated to supine and upright ARR. A suggested cut-off value of 19 instead of 23 pg/μUI increased the discriminating power of this test.