Development and validation of a CXCR4-targeted ⁶⁸ Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT-based nomogram for predicting postoperative clinical success in unilateral primary aldosteronism.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Primary aldosteronism represents the most common and treatable form of secondary hypertension. Although over 90% of patients achieve resolution of hypokalemia post-operatively, nearly half still require antihypertensive medications. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram integrating preoperative clinical characteristics and CXCR4 targeted 68 Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT parameters to predict postoperative clinical outcomes in UPA. METHODS: A total of 109 UPA patients underwent adrenalectomy were retrospectively collected with preoperative 68 Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT parameters, clinical data and surgical outcomes at 6 months. Predictors identified by backward stepwise regression were incorporated into a nomogram based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, decision curve analysis (DCA), and multi-model comparison. Risk stratification was further performed to explore the model’s clinical applicability. RESULTS: Among 109 patients, 64 (58.7%) achieved complete clinical success. Six presurgical predictors (age, duration of hypertension, LLR R, SULmax R, LI2 R, and SULmean) were included in the final model. The model demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC 0.90, 95% CI 0.83–0.97 in the training cohort; 0.80, 95% CI 0.62–0.97 in the validation cohort) with good calibration and significant clinical net benefit. Risk stratification further revealed clear gradient separation and strong clinical feasibility. CONCLUSION: The proposed nomogram combining clinical and 68 Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT parameters serves as a robust preoperative tool for accurately distinguishing patients who will achieve complete clinical success after adrenalectomy from those requiring ongoing antihypertensive therapy.