Kidney and cardiovascular risk in primary hypertension

Figure 1 Cardiac organ damage is associated with subclinical renal abnormalities. Left ventricular mass increases along with changes in albuminuria (A) and reduction of eGFR (B) in patients with primary hypertension (n = 400). Modified from Leoncini et al[11]. LVMI: Left ventricular mass index; eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate; UACR: Urine albumin to creatinine ratio.

Figure 2 Changes in albuminuria translate into parallel changes in cardiovascular risk. In the LIFE study (left) and in the ONTARGET study the incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly greater in patients showing increases in urine albumin excretion over time as compared to those who showed reduction or no change. Modified from Ibsen et al[17] and Schmieder et al[21]. LIFE: The Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertensionstudy.