Regression of hypertensive nephropathy during three years of optimal blood pressure control

Hypertensive nephropathy is among the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. Once renal function is severely impaired, the effects of strict control of blood pressure on the recovery of renal function remain elusive. Published case series suggest that optimal control of blood pressure results in regression of renal failure to some extent. In the present case of biopsy-proven hypertensive nephropathy we show that renal function can substantially improve over time if blood pressure is optimally controlled. Glomerula filtration rate continuously improved in our patient from 20 ml/min at presentation to 80 ml/min over a period of three years using a fivefold antihypertensive regimen. Hypertensive retinopathy regressed from stage III to stage I, and left ventricular hypertrophy decreased from an initial septum thickness of 19 mm to 12 mm within that period of time. This case clearly illustrates that optimal control of blood pressure is mandatory in patients with pre-terminal renal failure due to hypertensive nephropathy. Such intervention can lead to a regression of hypertension-associated end-organ injury.