JS ISH-ISN-3 OPTIMAL TARGETS FOR BP CONTROL IN CKD.

Hypertension is the most prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Lowering high blood pressure slows progressive loss of kidney function and may also reduce the associated risk of cardiovascular complications, a common cause of premature death in CKD patients.Current International Guidelines produced by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) acknowledges that no single BP target is optimal for all CKD patients, and encourages individualization of treatment depending on age, the severity of albuminuria and comorbidities. When published in 2012, the available evidence indicated that in CKD patients without albuminuria, the target BP should be ≤140 mmHg systolic and ≤90 mmHg diastolic. However, in most patients with an albumin excretion rate of ≥30 mg/24 h (i.e., those with both micro- and macroalbuminuria), a lower target of ≤130 mmHg systolic and ≤80 mmHg diastolic was suggested. In achieving BP control, the value of lifestyle changes and the need for multiple pharmacological agents was acknowledged. Use of agents that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was recommended or suggested in all patients with an albumin excretion rate of ≥30 mg/24 h. Recommendations are almost identical in CKD patients with and without diabetes.Recent data from SPRINT (which included CKD patients) and other clinical trials has led nephrologists to ask whether targets lower than those recommend by KDIGO are appropriate and the guidelines are currently undergoing an update. Controversies remain around discontinuation of ACE/ARB in patients with stage 4-5 CKD and dual renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade.