BLOOD-PRESSURE CONTROL, PROTEINURIA AND RENAL OUTCOME IN CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

The presence of proteinuria has been shown to be an excellent predicto r for a worse outcome of renal function. Both proteinuria and arterial hypertension often coexist in the same patient, and therapy must be d irected at decreasing protein excretion in the urine as well as loweri ng the blood pressure. Any antihypertensive agent has the capacity to lower proteinuria simply by lowering blood pressure. Furthermore, the antiproteinuric capacity of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors c an be equalized by other agents or their combination, provided that th e fall in blood pressure is great enough. For this reason studies are needed in which the strict control of arterial hypertension combined w ith a decrease in proteinuria are considered. (C) 1998 Rapid Science L td.