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Long-term effect of captopril on kidney function in various forms of hypertension

Klinische Wochenschrift
|August 1, 1984
PubMed

Insights

Captopril therapy in severe hypertension can increase serum creatinine, particularly in renovascular hypertension patients. Renal function decline was more significant with bilateral renovascular disease and fibromuscular dysplasia.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Severe hypertension poses significant risks to renal function.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like captopril are used to manage hypertension.
  • Long-term effects of captopril on kidney function in diverse hypertensive populations require detailed study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term impact of captopril on renal function, specifically serum creatinine levels.
  • To compare these effects across different types of severe hypertension: essential, renovascular, and renal parenchymatous.
  • To identify patient subgroups at higher risk for captopril-induced renal changes.

Main Methods:

  • Serum creatinine was monitored in 76 severe hypertension patients over 3 years.
  • Patients were categorized into essential (n=37), renovascular (n=20), and renal parenchymatous (n=19) hypertension groups.
  • Subgroup analyses were performed based on renovascular disease laterality, origin, and initial plasma renin activity (PRA).

Main Results:

  • Captopril treatment led to increased serum creatinine in all hypertension groups, indicating a reduction in renal function.
  • These increases were most pronounced in patients with renovascular hypertension, with statistically significant and progressive creatinine rise over time.
  • Renal function deterioration was more severe in bilateral renovascular disease and fibromuscular dysplasia compared to arteriosclerotic origins; significant differences were also noted based on initial PRA levels.

Conclusions:

  • Captopril therapy, while effective for blood pressure control, can adversely affect renal function, especially in patients with renovascular hypertension.
  • Patients with renovascular hypertension, particularly those with bilateral disease or fibromuscular dysplasia, require close renal function monitoring during captopril treatment.
  • The study highlights the importance of considering the specific etiology of hypertension when assessing the renal safety of ACE inhibitors.

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