[Nicardipine, alone or in combination with enalapril, in the therapy of arterial hypertension secondary to chronic nephropathy].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the long term antihypertensive effect of nicardipine in hypertensive patients with chronic renal disease. Eight patients (creatinine clearance ranging from 51 to 78 ml/min/1.73 m2) received nicardipine (20 mg t.i.d.). Four weeks later, patients with diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mmHg in recumbent position, were given enalapril (10 mg/day) as well. Blood pressure control was achieved in 3 patients treated with nicardipine alone and in 5 patients on a combined nicardipine-enalapril regimen, and it was maintained throughout the whole trial period (52 weeks). In two cases serum creatinine rose from 2.3 to 3.3 and from 1.4 to 2.2 respectively. However, the slope of the creatinine ratio, plotted against time, showed a significant reduction in renal function loss as compared to expected values. In conclusion, nicardipine, alone or in combination with enalapril, is an effective and well tolerated drug for use in treatment of hypertension secondary to chronic renal disease.