Anti-Hypertensive Drug Requirements in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

This retrospective analysis documents changes in antihypertensive drug requirements with time on CAPD. In 59 patients who were hypertensive at initiation of CAPD, antihypertensive drug use decreased from almost 1.2 to less than 0.3 drugs per patient during the first month. In this group, the proportion in whom blood pressure was controlled without drugs went from 0% to nearly 60% after 12 months. These results, which most likely reflect control of body -fluid volumes and sodium balance, are similar to those reported with hemodialysis. It has been noted that patients receiving antihypertensive medications to control blood pressure at the initiation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) frequently require fewer or no anti-hypertensive medications with time on CAPD (1–2). The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to quantitate the extent and the timing of this trend in a CAPD population at a single center.