Related Experiment Videos
Vasodilators, antihypertensive therapy and the kidney
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|December 14, 1987
Summary
Essential hypertension treatments impact kidney function. Newer drugs like calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors show promise for improving renal blood flow and filtration, unlike some traditional therapies.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is linked to increased renal vascular resistance and decreased renal blood flow.
- Traditional treatments can negatively affect kidney function through angiotensin-mediated mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review traditional and novel antihypertensive treatments.
- To assess their effects on kidney function and renal perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on antihypertensive agents.
- Analysis of drug effects on renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and sodium handling.
Main Results:
- Reduced sodium intake and diuretics can decrease renal blood flow and filtration, often mediated by angiotensin.
- Beta-blockers may prevent renin release but require assessment for direct renal effects.
- Calcium antagonists (e.g., nifedipine) generally improve renal perfusion and sodium excretion, though benefits vary.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g., captopril, enalapril) increase renal blood flow and maintain filtration.
Conclusions:
- Antihypertensive pharmacotherapy has advanced significantly.
- Agents that preserve or improve kidney function are crucial for treatment selection.