Impact of antihypertensive therapy on progressive kidney damage

Our ability to measure precisely the pressures and flows within the glomerular microcirculation has enabled us to begin to unravel the complex relationship between systemic hypertension and kidney disease. Although a number of factors have been implicated in the development of glomerular sclerosis, one consistent finding has been that glomerular injury occurs when elevated pressures are transmitted to the glomerular capillaries. Intrarenal hypertension, in conjunction with renal hypertrophy, and, possibly, disturbances in lipid metabolism and blood coagulation constitute secondary processes through which those nephrons not severely injured by the primary renal disease are eventually destroyed. Ultimately, all renal function is lost. Clinically, increased glomerular pressure is likely to contribute to glomerular injury in those patients in whom hypertension and renal insufficiency coexist. In patients with diabetes, as yet unidentified factors cause preglomerular resistance to fall so that glomerular hypertension develops even in the absence of elevation in systemic blood pressure. Although no therapy has been proven to slow the rate of progression to end stage renal failure in humans, a number of promising interventions have been identified. These include dietary protein or salt restriction, and medication, with either converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers.