Unique Case of Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Adrenal Adenoma (Primary-Aldosteronism).

Introduction: To our knowledge this is the first & only case report in India wherein primary aldosteronism (adrenal adenoma) presented with cardiomyopathy (regressed post-surgery).

Materials: First reported case in India.

Result: Herein August 2018 IPGMER-SSKM-Kolkata 29-year female presented with 1-month exertional dyspnoea, occasional chest pain, sweating, fainting. On examination (Pulsus-bisferiens, forceful-well sustained-double-kicking-apex, grade-3-ejection-systolic-murmur (left 3rd intercostal space) (murmur intensity increased by Valsalva & standing). Left-ventricular-hypertrophy by ECG (R(I)+S(III) 35 mm) & Echocardiography (LVO Tobstruction, RWMA, wall-hypokinesia, systolic-anterior-motion, asymmetric-septal-hypertrophy excluded). Cardiac-MRI confirmed cardiomyopathy (patchy late gadolinium enhancements). She refused endomyocardial biopsy (normal troponin & NT-pro-BNP). Uncontrolled hypertension (BP 190/150) despite maximum Prazosin20 & Clonidine 100 dosage, besides persistent hypokalemia (despite repeated Intravenous KCL). With raised 24 hour Urine K + 52 meq/day raised TTKG 17.5, high serum AR Ratio (87.65) high Aldosterone (44.7) (normal Plasma Renin Activity (PRA 0.5) normal Cortisol (12.1). 24 x 22 x 15 mm hypodense mixed enhancing mass Left Adrenal in Contrast CT abdomen. Spironolactone 50, Ramipril 5, Ramipril5 subsequently added. Following unilateral adrenalectomy (histopathology 4 x 4 x 1 cm benign adrenal cortical adenoma) (without pleomorphism nor necrosis). (BP finally controlled before discharge following week. Patients cardiac function improved over next 6-months (complete regression of LVH in ECG-Echo & LGE in cardiac-MRI). Patient been regularly followed (till October 2022) at AIIMS-kalyani. Well controlled Hypertension (only Amlodipine 2.5 mg) (normal K + level, still in remission, normal potassium & normal cardiac function).

Conclusion: Prior in-vitro studies suggested possible aldosterone (excess) induced direct activation of mineralocorticoid receptors in (low-density/serum-free) ventricular myocytes (culture); also aldosterone increases mRNA for cardiac-ANF & alpha/beta-myosin heavy-chains (aldosterone also effects collagen deposition & fibroblast proliferation). All of these were clearly prevented by adding spironolactone. References Higuchi S, Ota H, Tezuka Y, et al. Aldosterone-induced cardiac damage in primary aldosteronism depends on its subtypes, Endocr Connect 2021;10(1):29-36. Petramala L, Concistrè A, Olmati F, et al. Cardiomyopathies and adrenal diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020;21(14):5047.