Is proteinuria a plausible target of therapy?

Microalbuminuria is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk, irrespective of kidney disease. Recent pharmacologic interventions have resulted in a significant delay and even an arrest in the progression of microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria or to chronic kidney disease. Focus should be placed on agents that not only lower blood pressure but also improve albuminuria levels. Current guidelines recommend that hypertensive patients with renal disease should be started on agents that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The use of three to four different agents is frequently necessary to reach the guideline goal blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.