Study of Myocardial Interstitial Fibrosis in Hyperaldosteronism Noninvasive Comparative Study in Humans of the Respective Cardiovascular Effects of Hyperaldosteronism and Hypertension by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Animal models have demonstrated the role of aldosterone in left ventricular remodeling involving fibrosis, apoptosis and hypertrophy. Myocardial fibrosis is a risk factor for serious arrhythmia and sudden death in ischemic and idiopathic hypertrophic heart disease. It is accepted that patients with primary aldosteronism have a higher prevalence of LV hypertrophy , arterial involvement and increased cardiovascular risk. In humans, a link has been demonstrated between aldosterone and heart failure as well as the benefit of the administration of an anti -aldosterone drug to lower mortality in this population , regardless of blood pressure level . The administration of spironolactone ( aldosterone ) in hypertensive rats has prevented the occurrence of aortic fibrosis . Plasma aldosteronism in humans has been associated with inflammation, fibrosis and aortic stiffness . However, primary aldosteronism is generally associated with so-called secondary hypertension . Chronic hypertension alone is a recognized etiological factor of myocardial hypertrophy ( myocardial fibrosis very advanced ) . The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of MRI hyperaldosteronism on the heart.