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Primary Aldosteronism

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Abstract

In this chapter, a paradigmatic case of primary aldosteronism presenting with arterial hypertension and hypokalaemia is illustrated. However, such presentation is not common, and this explains why many cases of primary aldosteronism remain undiagnosed, leaving the patients to high risk of developing organ damage and cardiovascular events. To avoid missing the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism, information on what patients are to be screened, and what tests should be performed, are provided. Then, some suggestions and tips are offered to help the reader with the interpretation of the laboratory tests that sometimes offer traps. Finally, the treatment for the unilateral and bilateral forms of primary aldosteronism, mostly aldosterone-producing adenoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, is discussed.

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Suggested Reading

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to express her gratitude to Prof. Gian Paolo Rossi for critically discussing the cases of primary aldosteronism that presented to the Hypertension Unit of the University of Padova and for opening novel unexplored horizons to the research team.

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Correspondence to Teresa Maria Seccia .

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Seccia, T.M. (2021). Primary Aldosteronism. In: Igaz, P. (eds) Practical Clinical Endocrinology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62011-0_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62011-0_28

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-62010-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-62011-0

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