Current understanding of optimal blood pressure goals in dialysis patients

The hemodialysis population is associated with a very low survival rate, with myocardial infarctions and strokes accounting for most of the increased mortality. Recent observational studies demonstrate a paradoxical relationship between increasing blood pressure and increasing mortality. Hypertension treated with antihypertensive medications unequivocally reduces cerebrovascular risk, but demonstration of a survival benefit for cardiovascular mortality has proven more difficult to demonstrate. Increased pulse pressure is caused by inadequate dialysis treatment that increases arterial wall stiffness and afterload, and decreases coronary perfusion. The disproportionate representation of diastolic dysfunction and coronary artery atherosclerosis may explain why increased pulse pressure is associated with higher cardiovascular risk for the dialysis population. Optimum blood pressure control has not been established, due to a lack of prospective studies targeting blood pressure reduction. Opinion-based recommendations are offered, but goals should be individualized based on a complete assessment of prevailing comorbidities and should target normalization of the pulse pressure.