Blood Pressure Treatment in Kidney Transplant Recipients—Can We Improve?

• Published in: Transplantation direct 2021-04, Vol.7 (4), p.e688-e688
• Main Authors: Onsøien, Mari O., Midtvedt, Karsten, Reisæter, Anna V., Aasarød, Knut, Waldum-Grevbo, Bård, Vikse, Bjørn Egil, Eriksen, Bjørn Odvar, Åsberg, Anders
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Kidney Transplantation; Medical disciplines: 700; Medisinske Fag: 700; VDP
• ISSN: 2373-8731; 2373-8731
• DOI: 10.1097/TXD.0000000000001142

Hypertension in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is common, affecting both patient and graft survival. Annual data from the Norwegian Renal Registry reveal that 18 y) KTx recipients reach target blood pressure (BP) ≤130/80 mm Hg. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of failure to achieve BP control. In conjunction with the 2018 annual data reporting, additional questions were added for recipients with BP >130/80 mm Hg (treating physician´s target BP for each patient, reasons for not achieving target, method of measurement). Annual forms were received from 98% (3407 of 3486) of KTx recipients, with 1787 (52%) reporting a BP >130/80 mm Hg ("above-target" group). These recipients were older, mostly male, with higher body mass index and serum creatinine levels (  130/80 mm Hg, 51% did not reach these individual targets. The number of antihypertensive drugs was significantly higher in the "above-target" group versus "on-target" group (mean 2.1 ± 1.2 versus 1.8 ± 1.3) and 36% versus 25% used ≥3 antihypertensive drugs (