Hypertension and chronic kidney disease

Abstract

The progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is largely independent of the underlying kidney disorder once renal function has fallen below a critical level. Hypertension is an independent risk factor for disease progression in both adult and pediatric patients with kidney disorders. Optimal blood pressure control (<130/80mm Hg) represents a main goal of conservative therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but it is rarely achieved in clinical practice. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are more effective than other drugs in slowing progression of proteinuric CKD. Dietary salt restriction (≤100 mEq/d of NaCl) may be useful to correct the extracellular volume expansion. If this intervention fails, hypertension can be treated by thiazide diuretics in patients with mild CKD, whereas loop diuretics at adequate doses are indicated in patients with more advanced CKD.