In the Wake of Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial: New Targets for Improving Hypertension Management in Chronic Kidney Disease?

Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) was a multicenter randomized controlled trial showing the significant benefit of intensive reduction of blood pressure to a target of 120 mm Hg in individuals with hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk. Because SPRINT includes the largest cohort of adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to be prospectively studied in a hypertension intervention trial, it has particular relevance to the field of nephrology. Here, we review the findings of SPRINT and assess their potential impact on guidelines for treatment of hypertension in patients with CKD. We believe that the data from SPRINT will support a recommendation for lowering blood pressure targets to 120 mm Hg in a substantial segment of adults with CKD.