Refining the Definitions of Biochemical and Clinical Cure for Primary Aldosteronism Using the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome (PASO) Classification System

Abstract

Introduction: Determination of outcomes after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism (PA) is limited by the lack of standardized definitions of cure. The Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcomes (PASO) group recently established new consensus definitions for biochemical and clinical cure of PA. We hypothesize that utilization of PASO definitions will better stratify patient outcomes after surgery compared to original and current criteria utilized to document cure.

Materials and methods: Patients undergoing adrenalectomy for PA from 1996 to 2016 were studied. Clinical data were reviewed. Three different sets of criteria (original, current, and PASO) were evaluated for differences in documentation of cure. Demographic data were reported as median (range). Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test; p < 0.05 is significant.

Results: A total of 314 patients with PA were identified. Ninety patients (60 males) elected to proceed with surgery. In Group 1 (35 patients), 30 patients had clinical follow-up and 29 (97%) were cured using original criteria. In Group 2 (55 patients), cure was recorded in 98% when original criteria for cure were applied, 89% cured applying current criteria, and 6% had complete biochemical and clinical cure by PASO criteria. Aldosterone rose 3.6 ng/dL (0.1-34.8) in five patients during extended follow-up, with two patients changing from complete to partial or missing biochemical success.

Conclusion: Significant heterogeneity exists in outcomes criteria utilized to document cure or clinical improvement after adrenalectomy for primary aldosteronism. Aldosterone levels change over time after adrenalectomy. PASO definitions of cure appear to allow for improved stratification of short- and long-term outcomes.