Blood pressure control in hypertensive pediatric renal transplants: role of repeated ABPM following transplantation

Pediatric kidney transplant and cardiometabolic risk: a cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are known to have increased cardiovascular risk but there are few data on the risk of pediatric kidney transplant recipients. We aimed to assess the impact of pre- and post-transplant overweight on allograft function and to characterize the evolution of several cardiovascular risk variables over time and their impact.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the records of 23 children/adolescents followed at a tertiary center after kidney transplant was conducted. Data on anthropometry and cardiometabolic variables were analyzed before transplant, six and 12 months after the transplant, and at the last follow-up visit. The impact of the variables on allograft function (glomerular filtration rate (GFR)) was estimated by creatinine-based revised Schwartz formula (Cr-eGFR) and was evaluated using nonparametric tests. Results: The 23 patients included in the study had a median age of 6.3 (4.4-10.1) years. Both systolic and diastolic BP z-score values significantly decreased between BMI groups [1.2 (-0.2 - 2.3) vs. 0.3 (-0.4 - 0.6), p=0.027 and 0.8 (-0.4 - 1.3) vs. 0.1 (-0.6 - 0.7), p=0.028, pre-transplant and at the final evaluation, respectively]. During follow-up, GFR values decreased (Cr-GFR: 68.9 (57.7-76.8) vs. 58.6 (48.9-72.9), p=0.033 at 6-months and at the end, respectively). Significant negative correlations between triglycerides and cystatin C-based eGFR (ρ=-0.47, p=0.028) and Cr-Cys-eGFR (ρ=-0.45, p=0.043) at the end of the study were found.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a high number of overweight children undergoing kidney transplant. A negative correlation between triglycerides and GFR was found, which highlights the importance of managing nutritional status and regular blood lipids evaluation after kidney transplant.

Restoration of nocturnal blood pressure dip and reduction of nocturnal blood pressure with evening anti-hypertensive medication administration in pediatric kidney transplant recipients: A pilot randomized clinical trial

Non-dipping and nocturnal hypertension are commonly found during ABPM in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. These entities are independently associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in adults. Kidney transplant recipients aged 5-21 years with eGFR > 30 mL/min/1.73 m² and ABPM demonstrating non-dipping status and normal daytime BP were randomized to intervention (short acting BP medication added in the evening) or control (no medication change) in this pilot, randomized, open-label, blinded end-point clinical trial. ABPM, echocardiography, and PWV were performed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The trial included 17 intervention and 16 control participants. Conversion to dipper status occurred in 53.3% vs 7.7% (P = .01) at 6 months for intervention and controls, respectively. Systolic dip was greater in the intervention group compared to controls (10.9 ± 4.5 vs 4.2 ± 4.6, P = .001), and average systolic nighttime BP was significantly lower in the intervention group (106 ± 8.3 vs 114.9 ± 9.5 mm Hg, P = .01) at 6 months. There were no significant differences in LVMI, PWV, or eGFR between groups. Within-group changes in the intervention group demonstrated improvements in non-dippers, dipping, systolic nighttime BP and nighttime BP load. Restoration of nocturnal dip and improvement in nocturnal BP were observed in the population following chronotherapy. Future studies are needed with larger sample sizes over a longer period of time to delineate the long-term effect of improved nocturnal dip on target organ damage.

Practical application of ABPM in the pediatric nephrology clinic

The use of 24-h ABPM has become commonplace when diagnosing and managing hypertension in the pediatric population. Multiple clinical guidelines recommend ABPM as the preferred method for identifying white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, and determining degree of blood pressure (BP) control. Accurate, timely diagnosis and optimal management are particularly important in certain populations, such as children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and other conditions with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Understanding how best to utilize ABPM to achieve these goals is important for pediatric nephrologists and other hypertension specialists. This review will provide practical information on the equipment, application, interpretation, and documentation of ABPM in the specialty clinic.

Hypertension in Children and Adolescents: A Review of Recent Guidelines

Pediatric hypertension (HTN) is a growing problem worldwide that can be attributed to various risk factors, including the upward trend in obesity and poor lifestyle choices. Pediatric HTN will eventually lead to adult HTN and cardiovascular disease. There is concern that HTN in children and adolescents is often underdiagnosed. This article highlights important risk factors and chronic conditions associated with HTN along with complications such as end organ damage and cardiovascular disease. This article also outlines cost-effective diagnostic evaluations and step-wise treatment options, including nonpharmacological interventions such as lifestyle modifications as well as medical management based on the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines. [Pediatr Ann. 2020;49(6):e250-e257.].

Inadequate blood pressure control demonstrated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in pediatric renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Adequate BP control in RT recipients should not rely only by normal office BP but also on normal 24-hour BP. This study aims to assess adequacy of BP control by ABPM and to assess ABPM parameters associated with LVMI in pediatric RT recipients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients aged 5-20 years who have been followed after RT were enrolled. Demographic data and BP assessed by office and ABPM were collected. Echocardiography was performed to detect LVMI.

RESULTS

Thirty RT recipients (18 males) with median age of 15 years (IQR 13-18.5) were included. Among 23 patients who were taking antihypertensive drugs, uncontrolled hypertension was detected in 34.8% and 78.3% by office BP measurement and ABPM, respectively. Thus, the difference in prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension observed by ABPM versus office BP was 43.5%. Those seven patients who were not taking antihypertensive drugs because of normal office BP, four patients (57.1%) had masked hypertension and one patient had elevated BP. Fifteen patients have progression of LVH after RT. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR 1.369, 95%CI 0.985-1.904, P-value = 0.062) had a trend to be associated with progression of LVH. Moreover, nighttime systolic BP z-score was significantly correlated with LVMI (r = 0.551, P-value = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The difference in prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension uncovered by ABPM was 43.5%. Nighttime SBP z-score was significantly correlated with LVMI.

Steroid withdrawal improves blood pressure control and nocturnal dipping in pediatric renal transplant recipients: analysis of a prospective, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Variable effects of steroid minimization strategies on blood pressure in pediatric renal transplant recipients have been reported, but data on the effect of steroid withdrawal on ambulatory blood pressure and circadian blood pressure rhythm have not been published so far.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomized, multicenter study on steroid withdrawal in pediatric renal transplant recipients (n = 42) on cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methylprednisolone, we performed a substudy in 28 patients, aged 11.2 ± 3.8 years, for whom ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data were available.

RESULTS

In the steroid-withdrawal group, the percentage of patients with arterial hypertension, defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure values recorded by ABPM > 1.64 SDS and/or antihypertensive medication, at month 15 was significantly lower (35.7%, p = 0.002) than in controls (92.9%). The need of antihypertensive medication dropped significantly by 61.2% (p < 0.000 vs. control), while in controls, it even rose by 69.3%. One year after steroid withdrawal, no patient exhibited hypertensive blood pressure values above the 95th percentile, compared to 35.7% at baseline (p = 0.014) and to 14.3% of control (p = 0.142). The beneficial impact of steroid withdrawal was especially pronounced for nocturnal blood pressure, leading to a recovered circadian rhythm in 71.4% of patients vs. 14.3% at baseline (p = 0.002), while the percentage of controls with an abnormal circadian rhythm (35.7%) did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

Steroid withdrawal in pediatric renal transplant recipients with well-preserved allograft function is associated with less arterial hypertension recorded by ABPM and recovery of circadian blood pressure rhythm by restoration of nocturnal blood pressure dipping.

Clinical value of ambulatory blood pressure in pediatric patients after renal transplantation

Hypertension is a highly prevalent co-morbidity in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Undertreated hypertension is associated with cardiovascular complications and negatively impacts renal graft survival. Thus, the accurate measurement of blood pressure is of the utmost importance for the correct diagnosis and subsequent management of post-renal transplant hypertension. Data derived from the general population, and to a lesser extent from the pediatric population, indicates that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is superior to blood pressure measurements taken in the clinical setting for the evaluation of true mean blood pressure, identification of patients requiring antihypertensive treatment, and in the prediction of cardiovascular outcome. This Educational Review will discuss the clinical value of ABPM in the identification of individual blood pressure phenotypes, i.e., normotension, new-onset hypertension, white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, controlled blood pressure, and undertreated/uncontrolled hypertension in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Finally, we examine the utility of performing repeated ABPM for treatment monitoring of post-renal transplant hypertension and on surrogate markers related to relevant clinical cardiovascular outcomes. Taken together, our review highlights the clinical value of the routine use of ABPM as a tool for identifying and monitoring hypertension in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Control in Children and Young Adults After Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) is the preferred method to characterize BP status, and its use in kidney transplant recipients is increasing. Data on longitudinal ambulatory BP (ABP) trends in pediatric and young adult kidney transplant recipients are limited.

METHODS

Retrospective review of a large cohort of children and young adults following kidney transplantation and evaluation of their ABP status over time and its associations with any patient and clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Two hundred and two patients had baseline ABPM available for analysis, and 123 of them had a follow up (median time 2.3 years) ABPM. At the time of follow up, more patients were treated for hypertension (80% vs. 72%, P = 0.02), and less patients had ambulatory hypertension (36% vs. 54%, P = 0.005), uncontrolled or untreated, compared with baseline, with 45% of all patients classified as having controlled hypertension (compared to 26% at baseline, P = 0.002). Prevalence of ambulatory hypertension decreased only in patients who were less than 18 years old at baseline. High baseline mean 24-hour systolic BP was independently associated with persistent hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

In young kidney transplant recipients followed by ABPM, the prevalence of ambulatory hypertension decreases over time, mainly due to the increased number of patients with controlled hypertension.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Screening and Management of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents

These pediatric hypertension guidelines are an update to the 2004 "Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents." Significant changes in these guidelines include (1) the replacement of the term "prehypertension" with the term "elevated blood pressure," (2) new normative pediatric blood pressure (BP) tables based on normal-weight children, (3) a simplified screening table for identifying BPs needing further evaluation, (4) a simplified BP classification in adolescents ≥13 years of age that aligns with the forthcoming American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology adult BP guidelines, (5) a more limited recommendation to perform screening BP measurements only at preventive care visits, (6) streamlined recommendations on the initial evaluation and management of abnormal BPs, (7) an expanded role for ambulatory BP monitoring in the diagnosis and management of pediatric hypertension, and (8) revised recommendations on when to perform echocardiography in the evaluation of newly diagnosed hypertensive pediatric patients (generally only before medication initiation), along with a revised definition of left ventricular hypertrophy. These guidelines include 30 Key Action Statements and 27 additional recommendations derived from a comprehensive review of almost 15 000 published articles between January 2004 and July 2016. Each Key Action Statement includes level of evidence, benefit-harm relationship, and strength of recommendation. This clinical practice guideline, endorsed by the American Heart Association, is intended to foster a patient- and family-centered approach to care, reduce unnecessary and costly medical interventions, improve patient diagnoses and outcomes, support implementation, and provide direction for future research.

Long-Term Changes in Blood Pressure After Pediatric Kidney Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Hypertension presents high prevalence rates following kidney transplantation (Tx). The aims of the present study were to investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors for hypertension and blood pressure (BP) control over time after pediatric kidney Tx, as well as to assess possible effects of hypertension on graft survival.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of all pediatric kidney recipients followed up in our pediatric nephrology department. Hypertension was defined as systolic and/or diastolic BP greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex, or as being on antihypertensive medication. BP control was defined as normotension while on antihypertensive medication.

RESULTS

The study population included 74 pediatric kidney recipients (median age 11 years). The prevalence of hypertension was found 77% before Tx, 82.4%, 71.7%, and 61% at 1, 5, and 10 years after Tx, respectively. Deceased donor Tx and pre-transplant hypertension on antihypertensive medication were significant risk factors for hypertension after kidney Tx over the follow-up period. BP control among patients on antihypertensive treatment was 16.7% before Tx, 43.8%, 66.7%, and 42.9% at 1, 5, and 10 years post-Tx, respectively. Hypertensive patients at 10 years post-Tx had 8.079 times higher hazard of graft loss compared to normotensives (95% CI 1.561-41.807, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertension remains a frequent complication in pediatric kidney recipients even years after kidney Tx. BP control by antihypertensive treatment is unsatisfactory in about half of the patients. The adverse effects of hypertension on graft survival may appear in the long-term.

Single-center assessment of nutritional counseling in preventing excessive weight gain in pediatric renal transplants recipients

Post-transplantation obesity is a common complication that is associated with a higher risk for decreased allograft function and hypertension. However, the role of diet intervention on reducing post-transplantation obesity is relatively unknown. We investigated the clinical relevance of dietary counseling on the prevalence of overweight/obesity during the first two yr following renal transplantation. The computerized patient records of 42 recipients (31 males) aged 6.3 ± 4.8 yr at transplantation were reviewed. All patients systematically underwent yearly dietary assessment/counseling (motivational interviewing technique) and measurement of renal function and ABPM. At transplantation, 14.2% of patients were overweight/obese, which increased to 42.8% by two yr post-transplantation (p = 0.004). The majority of patients experienced a significant increase in BMI SDS during the first six months post-transplantation that remained sustained throughout the duration of the follow-up period (p = 0.001). By two yr post-transplantation, there were no observable differences between patients classified as having normal BMI or being overweight/obese with regard to renal function and controlled hypertension. The application of yearly tailored dietary assessment/counseling had a poor effect on preventing post-transplantation weight gain, suggesting the need for more comprehensive interventions to reduce post-transplant obesity.

Blood pressure profiles 5 to 10 years after transplant in pediatric solid organ recipients

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease after solid organ transplantation, emphasizing the need for blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The authors studied 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) parameters (index, load, dipping) and their predictive value with regard to hypertension as well as correlations with graft function and metabolic parameters such as obesity and dyslipidemias. The ABPM profiles of 111 renal, 29 heart, and 13 liver transplant recipients were retrospectively analyzed 5 to 10 years after transplant (median 5.1 years). The BP profiles among the different transplant groups were similar. The BP index and load were abnormal especially at nighttime and the nocturnal BP dipping was often blunted (in 49% to 83% of the patients). The BP variables were found to be equally valued when assessing hypertension. BP load of 50% instead of 25% seems to be a more adequate cutoff value. The BP variables correlated poorly with the metabolic parameters and kidney function. Antihypertensive medication did not notably change the ABPM profile in renal transplant recipients. Hypertension, including nocturnal hypertension, is present in children receiving solid organ transplant, underlining the importance of use of ABPM in the follow-up of these patients.

An observational cohort study of the effect of hypertension on the loss of renal function in pediatric kidney recipients

BACKGROUND

Post-transplant hypertension impacts negatively on renal graft survival. Our primary objective was to analyze the effect of hypertension on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) slope.

METHODS

All clinical charts of children who underwent renal transplantation since the introduction of the routine use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were reviewed. Eligibility criteria for inclusion were measurement of GFR at 3 months, at 1 year post-transplant, and thereafter at yearly intervals; ABPM performed annually after transplantation; and functioning graft for a minimum of 2 years.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight (39 males) of 79 patients, aged 9.1±5.3 years, met the inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 6.2±2.8 years. Twenty-four patients had normotension or controlled hypertension throughout their follow-up (normotensive group). Forty-four patients had hypertension or noncontrolled hypertension at some point(s) during the follow-up period (hypertensive group). GFR slope was -1.6ml/min/1.73 m(2) per year (95% confidence interval (CI = -3.7 to 0.4) in the normotensive group and -2ml/min/1.73 m(2) per year (95% CI = -3 to -1.1) in the hypertensive group (P = 0.42). There was no difference between groups with regard to the change in GFR values from 3 months to 1 year and to last control (P = 0.87). At most recent control, the overall prevalence of controlled hypertension was 78.2% (95% CI = 63.6-89.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the results of our study are encouraging, they need to be confirmed in a larger prospective study using the same post-transplant follow-up protocol.

Metabolic risk factors and long-term graft function after paediatric renal transplantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic risk factors and their impact on long-term allograft function in paediatric renal transplant (RTx) patients. We reviewed the medical records of 210 RTx patients who underwent transplantation at a median age of 4.5 years (range 0.7-18.2) and a median follow-up of 7.0 years (range 1.5-18.0). Data on lipid and glucose metabolism, uric acid levels, weight and blood pressure were collected up to 13 years post-RTx, and the findings were correlated with the measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Beyond the first year, GFR showed gradual deterioration with a mean decline of 2.4 ml/min/1.73 m(2)/year. Metabolic syndrome, overweight, hypertension and type 2 diabetes were diagnosed in 14-19%, 20-23%, 62-87% and 3-5% of the patients, respectively. These entities showed only mild association with the concomitant or long-term GFR values. Dyslipidaemia was common and hypertriglyceridaemia associated with a lower GFR at 1.5 and 5 years post-RTx (P = 0.008 and P = 0.017, respectively). Similarly, hyperuricaemia was frequent and associated significantly with GFR (P < 0.001). Except for hyperuricaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia, metabolic risk factors beyond the first postoperative year associated modestly with the long-term kidney graft function in paediatric RTx patients.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in pediatric renal transplantation

Hypertension is a common and serious complication after renal transplantation. It is an important risk factor for graft loss and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Blood pressure (BP) in transplanted children should be measured not only by clinic BP (cBP) measurement, but also by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), because ABPM has distinct advantages over cBP, specifically the ability to reveal nocturnal, masked or white-coat hypertension. These types of hypertension are common in transplanted children (nocturnal hypertension 36-71 %, masked hypertension 24-45 %). It may also reveal uncontrolled hypertension in treated children, thereby improving control of hypertension. Regular use of ABPM and ABPM-guided therapy of hypertension may help to decrease cardiovascular and renal target organ damage in transplanted children. Therefore, ABPM should be routinely performed in all transplanted children at least once a year, regardless of the values of cBP.

Pediatric ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: indications and interpretations

The prevalence of hypertension in children and adolescents is increasing, especially in obese and ethnic children. The adverse long-term effects of hypertension beginning in youth are known; therefore, it is important to identify young patients who need intervention. Unfortunately, measuring blood pressure (BP) is difficult due to the variety of techniques available and innate biologic variation in BP levels. Ambulatory BP monitoring may overcome some of the challenges clinicians face when attempting to categorize a young patient's BP levels. In this article, the authors review the use of ambulatory BP monitoring in pediatrics, discuss interpretation of ambulatory BP monitoring, and discuss gaps in knowledge in usage of this technique in the management of pediatric hypertension.

A survey of recent reports on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

This article is a review of 25 publications on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the importance of its results in everyday clinical practice. These studies, published in 2008-2011, were selected from the Scopus database, but are also available in Pubmed. They were prepared by researchers from around the world, concerned with the problems of proper control of blood pressure (BP), and of abnormalities in the circadian pattern of BP in patients with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus or renal failure. In the first part of this article, I analyse publications focused on some nuances in the methodology of ABPM and recommend ways to avoid some traps, related not only to the individual patient but also to the device used and the technical staff. The next section is devoted to the advantages of ABPM as a diagnostic tool which enables clinicians to learn about patients’ BP during sleep, and emphasizes the practical implications of this information for so-called chronotherapy. This section also presents some new studies on the prognostic value of ABPM in patients with cardiovascular (CV) risk. Some recent articles on the results of various methods of pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension in different age groups are then described. The observations presented in this article may be helpful not only for researchers interested in the chronobiology of the CV system, but also for general practitioners using ABPM.

Systemic arterial hypertension in children following renal transplantation: prevalence and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Control of blood pressure (BP) following renal transplantation may improve allograft and patient survival. Our aims were (i) to describe the distribution of BP and the prevalence of systolic and/or diastolic hypertension in children over the first 5 years following renal transplantation and (ii) to evaluate clinical risk factors and centre-specific factors associated with hypertension in this population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case note review of all current paediatric kidney transplant patients in the UK, with data collected at 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years following transplantation in subjects with hypertension (systolic and/or diastolic BP > 95th > ) and non-hypertensive subjects BP ≤ 95th > .

RESULTS

In total, 27.3% (117/428), 27.6% (118/428), 26.0% (95/365) and 25.6% (50/195) of the patients were hypertensive (systolic and/or diastolic BP > 95th > ) at 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years following transplantation, respectively. A total of 58.4% of the patients at 6 months, 52.8% at 1 year, 48.2% at 2 years and 48.2% at 5 years were receiving anti-hypertensive therapy, of whom 31.6-36.6% remained hypertensive. When subjects were identified as being hypertensive, on anti-hypertensive medication or had untreated hypertension (systolic and/or diastolic BP > 95th > ), 66.4, 61.0, 56.4 and 55.9% of patients were hypertensive at 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively. In a multivariate model, odds ratios for systolic hypertension were 4.16 (deceased versus living donor), 2.65 (lowest versus highest quartile of height z-score) and 2.07 (if on anti-hypertensive; yes versus no). There was significant variation in prevalent rates of hypertension between centres (P < 0.0001) that remained significant (P = 0.003) after adjustment for all the factors in the multivariate model.

CONCLUSIONS

Control of BP after kidney transplantation remains sub-optimal in paediatric centres in the UK. Just over 25% of patients remain hypertensive 5 years following transplantation. Significant differences between centres remain unexplained and may reflect differences in assessment and management of hypertension.

Use of annual ABPM, and repeated carotid scan and echocardiography to monitor cardiovascular health over nine yr in pediatric and young adult renal transplant recipients

In adult hypertensive patients, increased cIMT and LVH are independent risk factors for cardiovascular events. We have previously observed that in pediatric RTRs with tight control of BP, cIMT did not progress over time. This investigation is an extension of the aforementioned study aimed at re-examining cIMT and also reporting serial echocardiography results. Twenty-two RTRs aged 9.4 ± 3.3 yr at their baseline carotid scan underwent two additional vascular ultrasounds during a follow-up of 9.1 ± 0.9 yr. Carotid scan and echocardiography examinations were carried out simultaneously with ABPM. Antihypertensive therapy was determined according to the recipient's ABPM results, which were performed at yearly intervals. Baseline cIMT was significantly greater in RTRs than in healthy controls. There was no statistical evidence of systematic changes in cIMT over time. At the last examination, 14 of 17 RTRs with treated hypertension had controlled hypertension (prevalence 82%; 95% CI, 56.5-96.2), and the overall prevalence of LVH was 4.5% (95% CI, -0.01 to 23.5). The lack of progression of cIMT over time and the low prevalence of LVH might reflect the effect of long-standing BP control.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a marker of cardiovascular health in renal transplanted children

Children with renal transplants (TX) are at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Study objectives were to assess the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CR fitness) and daily physical activity (PA) in renal TX children and adolescents in relation to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Laboratory testing included assessment of CR fitness by treadmill exercise testing (VO(2peak)), 24-h ambulatory blood-pressure (ABPM) measurement, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), anthropometrics and measurement of lipid levels. PA was self-reported by questionnaire. Twenty-two TX patients with a median (range) age 14.5 (9-18) years were tested. Median V0(2peak) was 66% (36-97) of the expected values compared with controls. Nineteen (86%) children reported <60 min of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Sixteen (73%) were hypertensive and 8 (34%) were overweight or obese. Four children fulfilled the criteria for a metabolic syndrome. Children with at least 2 of the 3 metabolic risk factors (hypertension, overweight, and glucose intolerance, n=7) achieved significantly lower VO(2peak) compared with those with one or none of these factors (median V0(2peak) 45% and 73% of the expected values respectively, p=0.003). Renal TX children and adolescents have severely impaired CR fitness and PA. Reduced CR fitness was associated with the clustering of CV risk factors. Routine counseling for increased PA is strongly recommended.

Masked hypertension and hidden uncontrolled hypertension after renal transplantation

Arterial hypertension is a risk factor affecting graft function in pediatric kidney transplants. Recent pediatric studies reported a high prevalence of hypertension, especially nocturnal hypertension in this population. Data regarding the prevalence of masked hypertension in pediatric patients with kidney transplants are still scarce. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of masked and hidden uncontrolled hypertension after renal transplantation. A total of 41 patients (25 males) with stable functioning renal graft were included in the study. Their median age was 14.5 years with the median interval since transplantation of 2.5 years (range 0.3 to 20.6). Spacelabs 90207 was used to measure ambulatory blood pressure (BP) during a 24-h period. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as mean systolic and/or diastolic BP index at day-time or nighttime >or=1. Masked hypertension was defined as normal office BP but daytime ambulatory hypertension in patients without antihypertensive medications. Hidden uncontrolled hypertension was defined as daytime ambulatory hypertension undetected by office BP measurements in treated patients. Antihypertensive medications were prescribed to 58%. Prevalence of nocturnal hypertension was 68%. On the basis of combination of office and ABPM masked hypertension and hidden uncontrolled hypertension was detected in 24% and 21% of the study population, respectively. Regular use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in transplanted patients enables detection of masked and hidden uncontrolled hypertension.

Hypertension after pediatric cardiac transplantation: detection, etiology, implications and management

While it may rescue children with end-stage heart failure from impending catastrophe, cardiac transplantation leaves 50-70% of pediatric recipients with new-onset hypertension. Given the unique vulnerability of the heart and kidneys in these children, we can expect long-term uncontrolled hypertension to shorten both graft and patient survival. In this review we discuss the multi-factorial etiology of post-transplant hypertension, highlighting current uncertainties and emphasizing mechanisms specific to cardiac recipients. We consider the optimal means of monitoring BP and in particular, the advantages of 24 h-ABP over intermittent clinic measurements. We also review BP treatment after cardiac transplantation, drawing attention to specific cautions appropriate when prescribing antihypertensive agents in these circumstances.

Cardiovascular disease in CKD in children: update on risk factors, risk assessment, and management

In young adults with onset of chronic kidney disease in childhood, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death. The likely reason for increased cardiovascular disease in these patients is a high prevalence of traditional and uremia-related cardiovascular disease risk factors during childhood chronic kidney disease. Early markers of cardiomyopathy, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction, and early markers of atherosclerosis, such as increased carotid artery intima-media thickness, carotid arterial wall stiffness, and coronary artery calcification, frequently are found in this patient population. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of recent advances in the understanding and management of cardiovascular disease risks in this population.