Eplerenone improved hypokalemia in a patient with Gitelman's syndrome

Abstract

A 47-year-old woman presented with hypokalemia (2.4 mmol/L). She also had hypomagnesemia, hypocalciuria, and hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism. Sequence analysis revealed a compound heterozygous mutation, R655C and R955Q, in the SLC12A3 gene. These findings were compatible with Gitelman's syndrome (GS). Eplerenone, a selective aldosterone blocker, in combination with oral potassium chloride improved serum potassium level (3.6 mmol/L) with no apparent adverse effect. Although eplerenone has an advantage over spironolactone for its selective affinity for the aldosterone receptor, the efficacy and safety of eplerenone for GS is little understood. Our observation suggests that eplerenone is a useful treatment option for GS.