LAUSR

The aims were to evaluate the relationship between idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) and grade of vascular function in the macrovasculature and microvasculature. Vascular function, including reactive hyperemia index (RIH), flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (NID) were evaluated in 52 patients with IHA, 53 patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), and 52 age-, sex-, and blood pressure-matched patients with essential hypertension (EHT). Log RHI was lower in the IHA and APA groups than in the EHT group (0.54 ± 0.25 and 0.55 ± 0.23 versus 0.79 ± 0.28; P < 0.01, respectively). FMD was lower in the APA group than in the EHT group (3.4 ± 2.1% versus 4.8 ± 2.8%; P = 0.02), whereas there was no significant difference in FMD between the IHA and the APA and EHT groups. NID was lower in the APA group than in the EHT group (10.0 ± 4.5% versus 12.5 ± 5.7%; P = 0.03), whereas there was no significant difference in NID between the IHA, APA, and EHT groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed an association of log RHI with plasma aldosterone concentration (t = −2.24; P = 0.03) and an association of FMD with plasma aldosterone concentration (t = −3.07; P < 0.01). Microvascular endothelial function was impaired in patients with IHA compared with that in patients with EHT.