On the importance of estimating renal function for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Microalbuminuria has been shown to predict an increased probability of suffering a cardiovascular event or death. It has also been shown to be decreased by antihypertensive therapy and in particular by drugs counteracting the effects of angiotensin II. In this issue of Journal of Hypertension data, from the LIFE study, are reported indicating for the first time that a decrease in urinary albumin excretion rate is accompanied by a significant decrease in cardiovascular events. This evidence is of great relevance because it constitutes the first evidence showing that regression of an intermediate end-point, microalbuminuria, ensures a better cardiovascular prognosis.