Life-threatening arrhythmia caused by primary aldosteronism
Language English Country United States Media print
Document type Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
19946238
PII: 878266
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Defibrillators, Implantable MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Hyperaldosteronism complications diagnosis MeSH
- Hypertension etiology MeSH
- Hypokalemia etiology MeSH
- Tachycardia, Ventricular etiology therapy MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac etiology therapy MeSH
- Torsades de Pointes etiology therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Case Reports MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias are one of the typical complications of primary aldosteronism (PA), is commonly characterized by hypertension and hypokalemia. CASE REPORT: In this report, we present 3 cases of subjects in whom primary aldosteronism manifested with life-threatening arrhythmias. In 2 subjects, after excluding organic heart disease, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted and, only after the second episode of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia accompanied with low plasma potassium levels, the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism was made. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to include diagnosis of primary aldosteronism in the diagnostic work-up of hypertensive subjects without any structural cardiovascular impairment who present with malignant arrhythmia and hypokalemia. Appropriate treatment of primary aldosteronism may avoid insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.