The best way to manage hypertension after renal transplantation

Abstract

Hypertension in renal allograft recipients is a common problem arising from multiple factors, including peripheral vascular damage caused by pretransplant hypertension, side effects of immunosuppressive medications, allograft dysfunction, renal artery stenosis, recurrent glomerulonephritis, synthesis of vasoconstrictive hormones by the native kidneys, and excessive dietary salt intake. Identification of modifiable factors causing hypertension and concurrent medical conditions, and measurement of glomerular filtration rate, cyclosporine/tacrolimus blood levels, and magnitude of proteinuria are essential to tailor treatment for an individual patient. Lifestyles that exacerbate hypertension should be modified. For pharmacological therapy, diuretics and calcium channel blockers are first-line agents in patients on cyclosporine shortly after transplant. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are good choices for patients with significant proteinuria. Reduction of immunosuppression will improve hypertension in some patients, but entails a potential risk of rejection or graft loss. Angioplasty is necessary in patients with a functionally significant stenosis of the allograft renal artery. Other patients on maximal medical therapy may benefit from native nephrectomy.