# Managing Arterial Hypertension in Chronic Renal Failure: Myths, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Realities

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how to manage high blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease, covering myths, mechanisms, and new treatments like renal denervation.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of hypertension management in CKD, emphasizing individualized care and novel interventions like renal denervation.

## Key findings

- Renal denervation shows potential for reducing blood pressure in resistant hypertension cases among CKD patients.
- Volume overload and RAAS activation are key mechanisms driving hypertension in CKD.
- Biomarker-driven approaches and digital health integration are emerging as future directions in hypertension management.

## Abstract

Hypertension is highly prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and progressive renal decline. This overview explores the intricate pathophysiologic mechanisms driving hypertension in renal insufficiency, including volume overload, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) activation, sympathetic overactivity, and vascular dysfunction. Diagnostic challenges such as white-coat hypertension and the underuse of ambulatory monitoring are discussed, along with the importance of volume assessment and target organ evaluation. We also emphasize individualized management strategies combining lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy—including RAAS inhibitors, diuretics, and novel agents—and the growing role of device-based interventions. In particular, renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as a potential adjunctive option for selected patients with resistant hypertension in CKD, with preliminary evidence suggesting blood pressure reduction in selected and carefully studied populations, including dialysis-dependent patients. Special considerations for transplant recipients, elderly individuals, and those on dialysis are highlighted, underscoring the need for nuanced, patient-centered care. Misconceptions surrounding RAAS blockade, dialysis hypotension, and therapeutic inertia are critically appraised. Finally, future directions point to biomarker-driven approaches, digital health integration, and large-scale trials on RDN to refine treatment paradigms. This comprehensive synthesis offers a pragmatic framework for clinicians managing hypertension in CKD, aligning mechanistic insights with emerging evidence and clinical realities.