Find in Library

Introduction: Hypertension is common following successful renal transplantation and has adverse effects on cardio-vascular and graft health. Blood pressure (BP) readings obtained during clinical visits can be misleading and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a more reliable and accurate non-invasive method of BP monitoring. Aims and Objectives: To compare office BP with ambulatory BP recordings in successful adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Material and Methods: Office BP (OBP) was measured with mercury sphygmomanometer according to standardized procedure as the mean of two readings taken 1 minute apart; thereafter, 24 hour ABPM was done using automated oscillometric device (Meditech device) in 56 KTRs. Results: OBP missed hypertension in 68% of KTRs who had normal OBP (masked phenomenon) and OBP overestimated hypertension in 11% of KTRs with uncontrolled OBP (white coat phenomenon). Thirty-four percent of patients were normal dippers, 32% non-dippers, 25% reverse dippers and 9% were extreme dippers. Conclusions: ABPM is a valuable tool in detecting dipping status, white coat and masked phenomena which are frequent problems among KTRs and should be considered as part of routine management of hypertension in KTRs.