Beyond essential arterial hypertension, primary aldosteronism. Case report




John F. Salto-González, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador
Vladimir E. Ullauri-Solórzano, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador


Primary aldosteronism is the main endocrine disorder leading to secondary hypertension, being found in up to 5% of patients with hypertension. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of resistant arterial hypertension. She presented with a blood pressure of 160/90 mmHg, studies revealed hypokalemia, aldosterone/renin ratio of 170, and a left adrenal adenoma on a tomography. A surgical adrenalectomy was performed, with subsequent normalization of blood pressure. The importance of treatment lies in the timely correction of aldosterone levels, to prevent or reverse target organs damage.



Keywords: Secondary hypertension. Primary aldosteronism. Case report.