Influence of microalbuminuria in achieving blood pressure goals

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In all individuals with hypertension regardless of diabetes status, microalbuminuria is an independent risk marker for cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke and other conditions. While blood pressure reduction is important in reducing this marker in individuals with hypertension other factors such as salt intake play an important role in reducing oxidant stress and other factors related to the genesis of microalbuminuria. RECENT FINDINGS: Clinical trials demonstrate that drugs interfering with the renin-angiotensin system--angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers--should be used as first-line antihypertensive therapy in patients with microalbuminuria because they seem to have a blood pressure-independent antiproteinuric effect. A combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with an angiotensin receptor blocker or other classes of medications shown to decrease protein excretion, such as nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists or aldosterone receptor blockers, should be considered to decrease albuminuria further; beta-blockers with alpha-blocking properties such as carvedilol have also been shown to reduce microalbuminuria probably secondary to its antioxidant properties. SUMMARY: This review provides a summary of current evidence regarding the associations of blood pressure with microalbuminuria, the rationale for currently recommended blood pressure goals, and the use of various classes of antihypertensive agents in proteinuric patients.