title: Ventricular fibrillation: an extreme presentation of primary hyperaldosteronism.
abstract: Patients with primary aldosteronism often present with hypokalemia and hypertension. Primary aldosteronism presenting as sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation is described in an otherwise healthy 37-year-old woman. After successful direct current cardioversion, serum potassium was 1.4 mmol/L. Investigations revealed a suppressed renin level, elevated serum aldosterone and a right adrenal nodule found on imaging. Ventricular fibrillation has not previously been described as a presention of a biochemically and surgically proven aldosterone-producing adenoma. This case highlights the importance of early detection and proper diagnosis of secondary hypertension before serious sequelae occur.
authors: Division of Endocrinology, St Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Abdo
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Bebb
authors: G E
authors: GE
authors: Wilkins
mesh_terms: D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000450:Aldosterone; D011188:Potassium