Arterial hypertension in kidney transplantation: huge importance, but few answers

Abstract

Arterial hypertension (AH) after renal transplantation (RTX) is correlated with worse cardiovascular and renal outcomes, with loss of renal function, decreased graft survival and higher mortality. RTX recipients have discrepant blood pressure (BP) values when measured in the office or by systematic methodologies, such as Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), with significant prevalence of no nocturnal dipping or nocturnal hypertension, white coat hypertension and masked hypertension. The aim of the present study was to review the issue of hypertension in RTX, addressing its multifactorial pathophysiology and demonstrating the importance of ABPM as a tool for monitoring BP in these patients. Treatment is based on lifestyle changes and antihypertensive drugs, with calcium channel blockers considered first-line treatment. The best blood pressure target and treatment with more favorable outcomes in RTX are yet to be determined, through well-conducted scientific studies, that is, in terms of AH in RTX, we currently have more questions to answer than answers to give.

Keywords:
Kidney Transplantation; Hypertension; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Goals; Therapeutics