Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Umbrella Review on Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease
3. Pathophysiological Mechanisms
4. Diagnostic Framework
5. Therapeutic Strategies
6. Hypertension in Special Renal Populations
7. Controversies and Misconceptions
8. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
| ABPM | Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring |
| ACEi | Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor |
| ARB | Angiotensin receptor blocker |
| BP | Blood pressure |
| CCB | Calcium channel blocker |
| CKD | Chronic kidney disease |
| eGFR | Estimated glomerular filtration rate |
| ESH | European Society of Hypertension |
| HBPM | Home blood pressure monitoring |
| KDIGO | Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes |
| MRA | Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist |
| RAAS | Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system |
| RDN | Renal denervation |
| SBP | Systolic blood pressure |
| SGLT2 | Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 |
| SNS | Sympathetic nervous system |
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| 1st Author, Year | Focus | Studies Included | Main Findings | Main Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aderoju, 2025 [12] | DASH diet adherence in CKD and association with CKD progression markers (eGFR and UACR). | 4 | eGFR changes were small and not statistically significant (low adherence: +0.54 mL/min/1.73 m2; high adherence: +3.34 mL/min/1.73 m2). Only 1 study reported UACR; higher adherence corresponded to lower median UACR vs. low adherence. | Key limitations: diet adherence measured via self-report/FFQ, one-time diet assessments, heterogeneity/small number of studies, and only one UACR study; evidence largely from America/Europe with no African studies. |
| Aftab, 2020 [13] | Ideal systolic BP range/targets in hypertensive ESKD patients on hemodialysis, using mortality as the key outcome. | 6 | Overall, BP-lowering interventions were associated with reduced all-cause mortality (pooled RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53–0.90). Authors conclude <140 mmHg systolic is a “promising” target. | Evidence base small; some risk-of-bias concerns. Search limited to English-language articles. |
| Rabbani, 2022 [15] | BP control strategies in hypertensive hemodialysis patients (pharmacologic context plus volume/dialysis-related approaches; emphasis on dialysis/volume strategies). | 12 | Summarizes multiple interventions used to control BP in hypertensive HD patients; discusses BP control without antihypertensive drugs (e.g., dialysis/volume strategies) and notes suggested HD BP range (e.g., ~130–160 systolic until stronger data). | Notes important gaps and calls for better study design/reporting and confounder assessment. |
| Mechanism | Description | Real-World Example | Prevalence and Impact on Hard Events | Clinical Implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium and volume overload | Impaired natriuresis → expansion of extracellular volume | Overhydration in dialysis; interdialytic weight gain | ~80% in ESKD; associated with LVH, stroke, mortality | Need for aggressive volume and salt control |
| RAAS activation | Vasoconstriction and aldosterone-driven salt retention | Proteinuric diabetic nephropathy | Present in all CKD stages; linked to progression, CV mortality | Justifies RAAS blockade |
| Sympathetic nervous system overdrive | Afferent and efferent neural hyperactivity | Elevated norepinephrine in ESKD patients | ↑ sympathetic tone in 100% ESKD; ↑ sudden cardiac death risk | Targeted by RDN |
| Endothelial dysfunction | Reduced NO bioavailability and oxidative stress | Low flow-mediated dilation in CKD patients | Found in ≥60% CKD; predictor of CV events | Encourages statins, anti-inflammatories |
| Microcirculatory impairment | Capillary rarefaction, hypoxia, impaired autoregulation | Reduced capillary density in renal biopsies | Subclinical; related to ischemic nephropathy, heart failure | Limited therapeutic targeting yet emerging |
| Treatment | Purported Benefits | Ideal Candidate | Possible Candidate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors/ARBs | Reduce proteinuria, slow CKD progression, lower BP | CKD with albuminuria, diabetes, hypertension | Normoalbuminuric CKD with hypertension |
| Beta-blockers | Reduce heart rate, LVH; useful in ischemia | CKD with CAD or heart failure | Advanced CKD with high sympathetic tone |
| Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) | Effective BP control, salt-insensitive | CKD with isolated systolic hypertension | General CKD patients without albuminuria |
| Diuretics (Loop/Thiazide) | Volume control, enhanced natriuresis | Volume-expanded CKD stage 3–5, resistant hypertension | Controlled HTN with borderline fluid status |
| MRAs (e.g., finerenone) | Anti-fibrotic, further RAAS inhibition, proteinuria reduction | Diabetic CKD with persistent albuminuria on ACEI/ARB | Non-diabetic CKD with proteinuria |
| Renal Denervation | Reduces sympathetic activity and BP, medication sparing | Resistant HTN with eGFR >30, failed triple therapy | Selected ESKD patients on dialysis with refractory BP (investigational use) |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Cardioprotective, reduce albuminuria, mild BP reduction | CKD stage 2–4 with diabetes or proteinuria | Non-diabetic CKD with residual albuminuria |
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Versaci, F.; Giamundo, D.M.; Frati, G.; Di Napoli, L.F.; Biondi-Zoccai, G.; Ginghina, E.R. Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 1250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031250
Versaci F, Giamundo DM, Frati G, Di Napoli LF, Biondi-Zoccai G, Ginghina ER. Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2026; 15(3):1250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031250
Chicago/Turabian StyleVersaci, Francesco, Domenico Maria Giamundo, Giacomo Frati, Lucia Fatima Di Napoli, Giuseppe Biondi-Zoccai, and Edoardo Roberto Ginghina. 2026. "Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities" Journal of Clinical Medicine 15, no. 3: 1250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031250
APA StyleVersaci, F., Giamundo, D. M., Frati, G., Di Napoli, L. F., Biondi-Zoccai, G., & Ginghina, E. R. (2026). Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 15(3), 1250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031250

