Clinical relevance of albuminuria in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Albuminuria (including the form not detectable by conventional tests, i.e., microalbuminuria) as well as renal dysfunction have recently been recognized as important complications in the patient with essential hypertension. The presence of albuminuria predicts cardiovascular events. Albuminuria is associated with more severe hypertension, with evidence of more advanced target organ damage (e.g., left ventricular hypertrophy), and is more prevalent in high-risk groups (e.g., the elderly). On the other hand, albuminuria may also be associated with generalized endothelial barrier dysfunction and thus predispose to accelerated atherogenesis. Ischemic nephropathy from nonmalignant nephrosclerosis has emerged as an important cause of terminal renal failure in the elderly patient with essential hypertension.