Efficacy and safety of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, in hypertension after renal transplantation: a randomized multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of posttransplant hypertension is high, and it appears to be a major risk factor for graft and patient survival. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of valsartan, an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), in the treatment of posttransplant hypertension.


METHODS
A multinational, multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed on the treatment of hypertension (systolic blood pressure [BP] >/= 140 and/or diastolic BP >/= 90 mm Hg) in adult cyclosporin-treated renal transplant recipients randomized to receive either valsartan (80 mg once daily) or a matching placebo for 8 weeks. After the first 4 weeks, furosemide 20 mg twice daily was added on a open basis if systolic BP remained >/= 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP remained >/= 85 mm Hg.


RESULTS
One hundred fifteen (valsartan = 57, placebo = 58) uncontrolled hypertensive patients despite monotherapy for hypertension, other than angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or ARB, were randomized. In the valsartan group, significant decreases were seen in systolic BP (from 153 +/- 11 to 140.9 +/- 18.35 mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 136.5 +/- 15 mm Hg at 8 weeks) and diastolic BP (from 93 +/- 9 to 85.2 +/- 11.28 mm Hg at 4 weeks, and 83.8 +/- 9.2 mm Hg at 8 weeks). There was no significant change in the placebo group. In the valsartan group, a statistically but not clinically significant reduction was observed in the mean hemoglobin concentration (12.9 +/- 1.6 g/dL versus 13.8 +/- 1.6 g/dL at 4 weeks, P < .01; and 12.3 +/- 1.6 versus 13.8 +/- 1.7 at 8 weeks; P < .001) as well as a significant increase in serum potassium (4.4 +/- 0.5 mmol/L versus 4.1 +/- 0.4 mmol/L at 4 weeks, P < .01) vs placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
Valsartan is effective in the treatment of posttransplant hypertension and is well tolerated.
Andrés
A
A
Hospital 12 de Octubre, Nephrology Department, Barcelona, Spain. aandres.hdoc@salud.madrid.org
Morales
E
E
Morales
J M
JM
Bosch
I
I
Campo
C
C
Ruilope
L M
LM
D000328:Adult; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012449:Safety; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010919:Placebos; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine