The absence of long-term therapeutic effect of calcium channel blockade in the primary aldosteronism of adrenal adenomas.

The absence of long-term effect of calcium channel blockers in primary aldosteronism due to adrenal adenoma is described in two patients. Calcium entry channel blockers, which were claimed to be a new medical therapy for primary aldosteronism, neither prevented the increase of plasma aldosterone nor decreased potassium levels over time in these patients. The drugs did not even lower blood pressure in one patient. Whereas calcium channel blockers may be effective in adrenal hyperplasia, they are apparently not effective enough in the long term treatment of patients with primary aldosteronism due to adrenal adenoma.