Pharmacologic Therapies for Aortic Stiffness in End-Stage Renal Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Most pharmacologic interventions that target aortic stiffness in renal disease are associated with mixed effects to vascular function. A team led by Agharazii conducted a meta-analysis to determine which targeted aortic stiffness therapies improve PWV and SBP measures. Multiple therapies, vitamin D and renin angiotensin system inhibitors, did not show any added benefit than placebo groups. However, calcium channel blockers showed a controlled decrease of both PWV and SBP beyond standard care. This indicates that incorporating this therapy could have reduced cardiovascular burden within renal affected cohorts.