Usefulness of ABPM and bioimpedance for the treatment and control of hypertension in patients on chronic haemodialysis

Introduction: Hypertension is very common in haemodialysis (HD) patients, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates.The goals of our research were to: 1. Measure blood pressure (BP) during HD sessions; 2. Study BP in between HD sessions with 44-h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM); 3. Evaluate changes in treatment after the ABPM; 4. Perform bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) on all patients and, in those hyper-hydrated or hypertensive according to ABPM, assess for changes in BP after adjusting the dry weight; 5. Identify factors associated with average systolic and diastolic BP measured by ABPM. Material and methods: Prospective observational study, which included 100 patients from our dialysis unit. We measured BP before and after the HD sessions for two weeks and then, mid-week, we attached the ABPM device to the patients for 44 h. Before starting the following dialysis session, we performed BIS. A second ABPM was performed on hyper-hydrated patients and patients hypertensive according to ABPM to evaluate changes in BP values. Results: According to the ABPM, 65% of patients had daytime BP > 135/85 mmHg, 90% night-time BP > 120/70 mmHg and 76% average BP > 130/80 mmHg; 11% had a dipper pattern, 51% non-dipper and 38% riser. The average systolic and diastolic BP readings were 4.7 mmHg (3.8%) and 1.1 mmHg (1.64%) higher on the second day. The dose of antihypertensive medication had to be lowered in 6% of patients, 9% had to stop taking it, 28% needed increased doses and 17% had to add a new drug. The pre-HD diastolic BP best matched the ABPM. After performing the bioimpedance and adjusting dry weight, there was a statistically significant decrease in all BP values. The univariate analysis showed that the average systolic BP was higher in patients with a high-calcium dialysis bath, more antihypertensive drugs and higher doses of EPO. The multivariate analysis showed significant association for EPO and number of drugs (p 135/85 mmHg, 90% TA nocturna >120/70 mmHg y 76% TA promedio >130/80 mmHg. El 11% presentó un patrón dipper, 51% no dipper y 38% riser. Las TAS y TAD promedio fueron 4,7 mmHg (3,8%) y 1,1 mmHg (1,64%) más altas el segundo día. En el 6% de pacientes fue necesario bajar la dosis de antihipertensivos, 9% suspenderlos, 28% aumentar dosis y 17% añadir un nuevo fármaco. La TAD pre-HD es la que mejor concordancia presenta con el MAPA. Después de realizar BIS y ajustar PS hubo un descenso significativo en todas las cifras de TA. El análisis univariante mostró que la TAS promedio fue más alta en pacientes con baño alto en calcio, mayor cantidad de fármacos antihipertensivos y mayores dosis de eritropoyetina (EPO). El análisis multivariante mostró asociación significativa para EPO y número de fármacos (p