Management of hypertensive chronic kidney disease: role of calcium channel blockers.

Both the prevalence and incidence of end-stage renal disease have been increasing in the United States over the past two decades. Diabetes and hypertension are the attributable causes for more than three fourths of all new cases of end-stage renal disease. The overwhelming majority of diabetics with nephropathy are hypertensive, and lowering blood pressure is indicated in all patients with chronic kidney disease because of the increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Multiple studies indicate that reaching goal systolic blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease generally requires three to four antihypertensive agents. A number of medication combinations can effectively reduce blood pressure in the chronic kidney disease patient. In this regard, adding a calcium channel blocker to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker helps in reaching goal blood pressure while preserving renal function in both diabetics and nondiabetics with proteinuria.