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michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan

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The higher the level <strong>of</strong> BP, the more likely pressure-related target-organs will sustain<br />

injury. Injury to pressure-sensitive target organs is occurs via multiple mechanisms as displayed in<br />

table 4. Endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling causing target-organ ischemia, accelerated<br />

atherosclerosis, cardiac remodeling/left ventricular hypertrophy and vascular rarefaction are<br />

examples <strong>of</strong> chronic pressure-related injury. An arterial tear as seen in aortic dissection or rupture<br />

<strong>of</strong> an aneurysm are very dramatic manifestations <strong>of</strong> pressure-related target-organ injury. Table 4.<br />

Mechanisms <strong>of</strong> Blood Pressure-Related Target Organ Injury<br />

7. Mechanisms <strong>of</strong> Pressure-Related Hemodynamically-Mediated Renal Injury<br />

Hypertension has been linked both to chronic kidney disease as well as end-stage renal<br />

disease (ESRD). In fact, <strong>hypertension</strong> is the second leading cause <strong>of</strong> ESRD behind diabetes<br />

mellitus. The distinction between <strong>hypertension</strong> and diabetes mellitus is not entirely distinct. About<br />

70 - 80% <strong>of</strong> persons with diabetes mellitus have <strong>hypertension</strong> (BP > 130/80 mm Hg and/or taking<br />

antihypertensive medications), and obesity augments the risk for both <strong>hypertension</strong> and diabetes<br />

mellitus.<br />

Transmission <strong>of</strong> systemic arterial pressure into the glomerulus, the functional unit <strong>of</strong> the<br />

kidney, is a major cause <strong>of</strong> renal injury. Under normal conditions the glomerulus protects itself from<br />

inordinate transmission <strong>of</strong> arterial pressure into the glomerular capillary loop. The mechanism<br />

by which systemic arterial transmission to the glomerulus is dampened is called autoregulation<br />

<strong>of</strong> renal GFR and blood flow. The afferent arteriole brings blood flow into the glomerulus from<br />

the renal artery where blood is filtered, urine is formed, and blood leaves the glomerulus via the<br />

efferent arteriole. Blood subsequently flows from this glomerular capillary network into another<br />

one, the peritubular capillaries. That is, the efferent arteriole branches into a peritubular capillary<br />

network that surrounds the tubules.<br />

Autoregulation <strong>of</strong> GFR and renal blood flow are accomplished via several mechanisms.<br />

Increases in afferent arteriolar luminal pressure cause constriction <strong>of</strong> this vessel; decreases in<br />

luminal pressure cause dilation <strong>of</strong> this vessel. These afferent luminal caliber changes in response<br />

to changes in pressure are accomplished via the myogenic reflex. Tubuloglomerular feedback<br />

(TGF) is another mechanism through which afferent arteriolar tone can be affected. This<br />

mechanism changes afferent arteriolar tone according to changes in sodium chloride delivery<br />

to the macula densa in the distal nephron. Increased NaCl delivery leads to increased afferent<br />

arteriolar tone while decreased delivery causes afferent arteriolar dilation. Finally, local activation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the RAS system as typically occurs in the setting <strong>of</strong> reduced renal mass (↓ nephron number)<br />

leads to Ang II -mediated efferent >> than afferent arteriole constriction that raises intraglomerular<br />

pressure.<br />

NKFM & MDCH 31

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