Summary
Type 2 familial hyperaldosteronism, inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, causes hypertension secondary to primary aldosteronism that is not suppressed with dexamethasone. Patients present with an adrenal adenoma that secretes aldosterone. The observation of several families affected suggests that the molecular mechanism may be different than in type I familial hyperaldosteronism, but remains to be identified. Diagnostic suspicion should lead to the screening of patients by determining the aldosterone/renin ratio. * Author: Prof. X. Jeunemaitre (Sep. 2000) *
