Purpose of review: To identify and evaluate recent (2000-2003) published studies employing ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with chronic renal failure, on dialysis, and after renal transplantation.
Recent findings: We discuss several studies that have employed ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to refine the analysis of the link between blood pressure levels, and diurnal alterations, and end-organ damage or patient survival. There is now some evidence that an abnormal diurnal blood pressure profile, although intrinsically not a very reproducible label, has predictive value for patient survival, and that the non-dipping phenomenon is linked to a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and autonomic dysfunction.
Summary: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring remains an important adjunct to the comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation of patients with chronic, end-stage renal failure or after renal transplantation.