Hypertension and chronic renal failure: the use of ACE inhibitors

The incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased 9% a year over the past 10 years, due primarily to diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephrosclerosis. Over this period of time, mortality rates for hypertensive heart disease and stroke have decreased substantially, in large part because of greater recognition and improved therapy of hypertension. Why then is there an increasing incidence of ESRD in diseases in which hypertension plays a significant role in causation and/or progression of renal failure? Is it possible that a lower level of blood pressure than usually recommended is necessary to prevent kidney disease (particularly in blacks) or to prevent or slow progression in most forms of renal failure? Furthermore, are there specific renoprotective drugs? This report will focus primarily on large prospective studies that may provide information to answer these questions.