Approach Considerations
Digital subtraction angiography with arterial injection of radiocontrast dye is the criterion standard, but it carries the risk of dye nephropathy and atheroemboli in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
Routine Laboratory Studies
Unless a secondary cause for hypertension is suspected, only the following routine laboratory studies should be performed:
- Complete blood count (CBC), serum electrolytes, serum creatinine, serum glucose, uric acid, and urinalysis
- Lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], and triglycerides)
Laboratory Studies in Hypertensive Emergencies
Electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels to are used to evaluate for renal impairment. CBC count and smear help to exclude microangiopathic anemia. Dipstick urinalysis can be used to detect hematuria or proteinuria (renal impairment), and microscopic urinalysis can be used to detect red blood cells (RBCs) or RBC casts (renal impairment). Optional studies include toxicology screen, pregnancy test, and endocrine testing.
Laboratory Studies for Assessment of Suspected Secondary Causes
Microalbuminuria is an early indication of diabetic nephropathy and is also a marker for a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Present recommendations suggest that individuals with type I diabetes should be screened for microalbuminuria. Usefulness of this screening in hypertensive patients without diabetes has not been established.[3]
Measurement of the aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio is performed to detect evidence of primary hyperaldosteronism. A ratio of more than 20-30 is suggestive of this condition. Hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis are relatively late manifestations of this disorder. A 24-hour urine specimen should be collected for sodium and potassium measurement. If the urine sodium level is more than 100 mmol/L and urine potassium is less than 30 mmol/L, hyperaldosteronism is unlikely.
If urinary potassium exceeds 30 mmol/L, the patient should have plasma renin activity (PRA)measured. If the PRA is high, the likely causes are estrogen therapy, renovascular hypertension, malignant hypertension, or salt-wasting renal disease. In the presence of low PRA, the serum aldosterone level can be measured. A low aldosterone level indicates licorice ingestion or other mineralocorticoid ingestions. A high aldosterone level indicates primary hyperaldosteronism. A CT scan may identify the presence of an adenoma. In the absence of CT scan findings, differentiating hyperplastic hyperaldosteronism from adenoma is often difficult.
Determination of a sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level excludes hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism as a cause of hypertension.
If pheochromocytoma is suspected, urinary catecholamines and fractionated metanephrines are the tests of choice. Plasma fractionated metanephrines have specificity, but their sensitivity is too low for screening purposes. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) is no longer recommended because of its poor sensitivity and specificity.
Echocardiography
The limited echocardiography study, rather than the complete examination, may detect left atrial dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and diastolic or systolic left ventricular dysfunction more frequently than electrocardiography. The main indication for limited echocardiography is evaluation for end organ damage in a patient with borderline high BP.[18] Therefore, the presence of LVH despite normal or borderline high BP measurements requires antihypertensive therapy. In addition, a stress echocardiogram can provide prognostic information in patients with hypertension and CAD.[19]
Nuclear Imaging
Captopril radionuclide scanning imaging technique does not give anatomic detail and is less often used.
Imaging Studies for Renovascular Stenosis
If the patient’s history suggests renal artery stenosis and if a corrective procedure is considered, further noninvasive radiologic investigations (eg, CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography [MRA]) or invasive renal angiography can be performed. Concern over the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis due to gadolinium has reduced the use of MRA, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease who have a glomerular filtration rate lower than 30 mL/min. This is a rare, debilitating, life-threatening disorder associated with gadolinium. CT or invasive angiography carries the risk of dye nephropathy.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Indications for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring include labile BP, a discrepancy between blood pressure measurements inside the physician’s office and those outside it, and poor BP control. Ambulatory monitoring also identifies patients who have the distinct syndrome called white coat hypertension.[14]
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