[Endocrine hypertension]

Abstract

Endocrine hypertension represents more than half of the causes of secondary hypertension. This entity encompasses several diseases including primary aldosteronism, paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma and Cushing's syndrome. The screening of endocrine hypertension should be performed in all the patients presenting with: (1) a resistant hypertension; (2) a severe hypertension; (3) the coexistence of hypertension with an adrenal adenoma, clinical or biological abnormalities. Clinical signs and symptoms, whenever present, lack specificity, especially for primary aldosteronism where hypertension is usually the unique symptom. Screening is performed by the measurement of several hormones and by a tomodensitometry to study the morphology of the adrenals: the presence of a solitary or multiples adenomas, or hyperplasia. Pheochromocytoma and Cushing's syndrome are very uncommon and should be referred to specialized centres. Primary aldosteronism is a frequent cause of secondary hypertension. Once the diagnosis is obtained, it is essential to differentiate whether it is a surgically correctable form or not. The patients with a bilateral adrenal hyperplasia can be managed effectively by mineralocorticoids receptor antagonist. The adrenalectomy will cure or improve hypertension for the majority of the patients with a lateralized secretion of aldosterone. The diagnosis and the treatment of these disorders can be challenging. However, the diagnosis of endocrine hypertension allows diagnosing surgical correctable form of hypertension, which is not possible in essential hypertension.