Hypertension Management in Transition: From CKD to ESRD

Hypertension is present in ∼90% of patients in late-stage CKD. There are scarce data focusing on the transition period between CKD Stages 4 and 5 (end-stage kidney disease) as it relates to hypertension evaluation and management. Here, we propose that a combination of the principles used in the management of patients with CKD Stages 4 and 5 be applied to patients in this transition. These include the use of out-of-office blood pressure (BP) monitoring (eg, home BP), avoidance of excessively tight BP goals, emphasis of sodium restriction, preferential use of blockers of the renin-angiotensin system and diuretics, and consideration of the use of beta blockers.