MICROALBUMINURIA IN ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with essential hyperten sion ranges between 10 and 25%. The level of albuminuria is highly cor related with arterial pressure and more closely ambulatory arterial pr essure. The interaction between albuminuria and arterial pressure is c learly enhanced by overweight and smoking. The renal mechanisms of mic roalbuminuria are not well elucidated; an increase in filtration fract ion suggestive of intraglomerular hypertension was observed in patient s with hyperfiltration. The significance of microalbuminuria as a mark er of cardiovascular risk or hypertensive renal disease needs to be co nfirmed through long-term follow-up studies. Antihypertensive treatmen t has variable influence on albuminuria; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in contrast to other agents, tend to partially correct th is abnormality.