Postoperative Cardiovascular Index Change of Primary Aldosteronism

Aldosterone has rapid nongenomic effects in the human vasculature. Aldosterone has been claimed to lead to endothelial dysfunction, a condition related to development of cardiovascular disorders and to poor prognosis. However, studies of aldosterone effects on endothelial function led to discrepant findings, which may be related, at least in part, to inhomogeneity of the populations studied. Thus, studies in healthy subjects showed no detrimental effects of aldosterone on endothelial function and no positive effect of aldosterone inhibition, whereas populations with established cardiovascular diseases showed negative effects of aldosterone and positive effects of spironolactone therapy. Still, other factors may be of importance as effects of aldosterone on endothelial function are not homogenous even in a healthy population. Dosages of aldosterone, concomitant drug use, as well as the vascular bed investigated may influence the effects observed.

Furthermore, little is known about chronic endothelial effects of aldosterone that could indicate a primary and direct role of aldosterone in development of cardiovascular diseases. In patients with hyperaldosteronism diminished flow-mediated dilation was found, indicating impaired endothelial function compared with hypertensive patients without elevated aldosterone. However, it is not known whether these results represent endothelial dysfunction as the result of a direct aldosterone effect on the vasculature or a secondary effect attributable to more substantial hypertension.