Clinical Trial: Diagnostic Properties of Aldosterone-Renin Ratio in Primary Aldosteronism Among Hypertensives.

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Aldosterone-Renin Ratio to Diagnose Primary Aldosteronism in a Population of Patients With Therapy-Resistant Hypertension: Test Characteristics, Diagnostic Value and Predi

Brief Summary: This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Aldosterone-Renin Ratio (ARR)as a screening test for primary aldosteronism among hypertensives. The test characteristics will be studied. Furthermore, the effect of eplerenone, a selective aldosterone-receptor antagonist will be studied.

Detailed Summary:

Although primary aldosteronism (PA) was formerly seen as a rare cause of hypertension, this condition is now thought to be the commonest cause of secondary hypertension, with the prevalence ranging up to 10-15 % of all hypertensives. Identification of patients with PA allows for specific treatment, for instance unilateral adrenalectomy in case of an aldosterone-producing adenoma or the administration of an aldosterone-receptor antagonist in case of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia.

Since the introduction of the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) as a screening tool for PA in 1981, there has been considerable debate about the diagnostic value. The values for aldosterone and renin are highly dependent on many factors, including posture, time of day and medication. Also, the cut-off values for the identification of PA remain controversial.

This study aims to evaluate the test characteristics of the ARR in a population of patients with therapy-resistant hypertension, the dependence of the ARR on medication type and the predictive value on the response on eplerenone, a selective aldosterone-receptor antagonist.

Sponsor: Erasmus Medical Center

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Information By: Erasmus Medical Center

Dates:
Date Received: December 4, 2006
Date Started: January 2007
Date Completion: November 2009
Last Updated: March 6, 2007
Last Verified: March 2007