Pulse Wave Velocity, Pulse Wave Morphology and Blocking of the Reninangiotensin System in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Pulse Wave Velocity, Pulse Wave Morphology and Blocking of the Reninangiotensin System in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An Interventional and Methodological Study

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a combination therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers reduces the arterial stiffness assessed by applantiontonometry more than a single treatment in kidney patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Creatinine: 150-350 micromol/L
• Blood pressure > 110 systolic
• Negative pregnancy test for fertile women
• Written and oral informed consent from the patient

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment with both ACE-inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Treatment with immunosuppressive medication, steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Serious chronic heart failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] III-IV)
• Chronic liver disease
• Suspicion or verified kidney artery stenosis
• Cardiac arrhythmia and/or implanted pacemaker
• Myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular incidence within the last 3 months
• Allergy towards ACE-I or angiotensin receptor blockers
• Amputation of a whole extremity or the crural or femoral part of the leg
• Dementia or a psychological condition that makes understanding of the examination conditions impossible
• Dialysis or renal transplantation
• Treatment with aldosterone antagonists
• Hyperkalemia > 5.5 mmol/l
• Another serious chronic non-renal disease