title: Malignant hypertension and hypertensive encephalopathy in primary aldosteronism caused by adrenal adenoma.
abstract: Two cases are reported as follows: 1) 1 female patient with accelerated-malignant hypertension secondary to an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma; and 2) 1 female patient with adrenal adenoma, severe hypertension, and hypertensive encephalopathy. This association is a rare clinical finding, and malignant hypertension may modify the hormonal characteristic of primary aldosteronism, making its diagnosis more difficult. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism should be considered in patients with malignant hypertension or hypertensive encephalopathy if persistent hypokalemia occurs. Identification of primary aldosteronism is of paramount importance for the patient's evolution, because the surgical treatment makes the prognosis more favorable.
authors.affiliation: Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP, Brazil. hipluiz@incor.usp.br
authors.forename: Luiz Aparecido
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Bortolotto
authors.forename: Fernando Henpin Yue
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Cesena
authors.forename: Fabio Biscegli
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Jatene
authors.forename: Hélio Bernardes
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000306:Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018246:Adrenocortical Adenoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006929:Hyperaldosteronism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000209:etiology*; D020343:Hypertensive Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis