Ps-Bpr02-10: Sympathetic Nerve Tone and the Indoor Environment in a Highly Insulated and Airtight Model House During the Cold Winter Season

Abstract

Introduction: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the disease characterized by inappropriately elevated autonomous adrenal aldosterone secretion, leading to the development of refractory hypertension. Patients with PA show higher nighttime blood pressure (BP) and lower nocturnal BP decline than those with essential hypertension. Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) are a new class of cardiovascular agents characterized by their dual action on the renin angiotensin system and the natriuretic peptide system. Atrial natriuretic peptide has been shown to inhibit basal aldosterone secretion from adrenal cells in vitro.Case Presentation: A man in his 50 s was referred to our hospital due to vision loss and diagnosed with hypertensive retinopathy. His serum potassium level was below 3.5 mEq/L. A captopril test confirmed the diagnosis of PA, though a CT image revealed no adrenal adenoma. According to his discretion, medical treatment including a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, a calcium channel blocker, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), an alpha blocker and a beta blocker, were commenced. However, the result of ambulatory bloop pressure monitoring (ABPM) revealed his mean BP of 143/91 mmHg and his mean nighttime BP of 148/89 mmHg, indicating riser pattern. Switching from an ACEI, imidapril (10 mg per day), and an ARB, azilsartan (40 mg per day), to sacubitril/valsartan (200 mg per day) decreased his mean BP to 138/89 mmHg. Furthermore, his mean nighttime BP decreased to 122/79 mmHg, indicating that his nocturnal hypertension was improved by sacubitril/ valsartan. Similar favorable effects of Sacubitril/valsartan on BP were found in three other patients with refractory hypertension caused by PA.Discussion: ARNIs are an appropriate treatment option for refractory hypertension caused by PA.