Effect of aliskiren in chronic kidney disease patients with refractory hypertension undergoing hemodialysis: a randomized controlled multicenter study.

BACKGROUND

Applying a direct renin inhibitor (DRI) to advanced stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is a matter of controversy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the DRI, aliskiren, in patients with therapy-resistant hypertension undergoing hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS

The study was a prospective, randomized multicenter trial exploring the antihypertensive effect of aliskiren in comparison with amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, in patients undergoing HD. A total of 83 participants whose blood pressure (BP) had previously been treated with more than one antihypertensive agent and not having achieved the BP goal of <140/90 mmHg were randomly assigned to either aliskiren 150 mg or amlodipine 5 mg as an add-on therapy.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in pre-dialysis clinic BP and home BP was found only in the amlodipine group and not in the aliskiren group. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the aliskiren group but not in the amlodipine group. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic hormone remained unchanged in both groups. Aliskiren significantly reduced angiotensin I and II, plasma renin activity, and increased plasma renin content. However, such changes were not observed in the amlodipine group.

CONCLUSION

Amlodipine, not aliskiren, effectively reduces BP in CKD patients with refractory hypertension undergoing HD. Aliskiren suppresses the renin-angiotensin system and reduces ANP. Whether the DRI is beneficial in improving cardiovascular events in patients undergoing HD remains to be elucidated in future studies.