Primary aldosteronism complicated by early-onset heart failure in a young male with a coexisting DMD variant: A case report and literature review

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RATIONALE: Heart failure (HF) is slightly more common in primary aldosteronism (PA) than in essential hypertension, but early-onset HF remains rare. In such cases, underlying genetic cardiomyopathies should be considered. Autonomously secreted aldosterone and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system can lead to extremely high aldosterone levels, worsening cardiac function and creating major therapeutic challenges. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 39-year-old male presented with progressive chest tightness and shortness of breath for 4 months. He had a 7-year history of hypertension and persistent hypokalemia. Electrocardiogram revealed a markedly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 18.3%. DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS: The patient was diagnosed with PA based on elevated plasma aldosterone concentration, an increased aldosterone-to-renin ratio, and a positive captopril challenge test. Computed tomography and adrenal vein sampling indicated unilateral PA. After initial HF management, the patient underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for PA treatment. OUTCOMES: According to the primary aldosteronism surgical outcome consensus criteria for postoperative evaluation of PA, complete biochemical remission (normalization of aldosterone-to-renin ratio and potassium) and partial clinical remission (stable blood pressure with reduced antihypertensive medication) were achieved 1 month postoperatively and have been maintained since. At the 8-month follow-up, his left ventricular ejection fraction had improved to 45.4% and BNP levels normalized. Whole-exon sequencing revealed a missense mutation of the dystrophin (DMD) gene. Certain DMD mutations are linked to X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy with absent or subclinical skeletal muscle involvement. Sanger sequencing confirmed the hemizygous mutation in the proband. The final diagnosis was poorly controlled PA with early-onset HF, potentially influenced by a coexisting DMD gene missense mutation that may modify both the onset and severity of PA-related HF. LESSONS: Early recognition and surgical treatment of PA with early-onset HF can substantially improve cardiac function, even in the presence of genetic susceptibility to cardiomyopathy. This case underscores the need to consider underlying cardiac genetic disorders in PA patients with atypical or early-onset HF and raises the hypothesis that the identified DMD variant may serve as a potential genetic modifier of HF severity in the context of PA.

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