[Treatment of arterial hypertension in non-oliguric renal failure]

In patients with chronic renal disease, hypertension represents an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular complications. Moreover, it appears possible that the progression of chronic renal failure may be slowed by carefully adjusted antihypertensive therapy. Therefore, blood pressure needs to be monitored very closely in patients with kidney disease and, when indicated, antihypertensive treatment should be started as soon as blood pressure begins to rise. Antihypertensive treatment of patients with non-oliguric renal failure has usually been started with dietary salt restriction and diuretic monotherapy. Other drugs, such as beta-blockers, sympathicolytic and/or vasodilating agents have been added successively. The possibility of beginning antihypertensive therapy with alternative compounds (beta-blocker, calcium antagonists and converting enzyme inhibitors) in patients with non-oliguric renal failure is discussed.