Calcium antagonists: a more expansive role in treating persons with reduced kidney function?

Most recent studies have supported inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) with diuretic as initial hypertensive therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The recommended role of calcium channel blockers (CCB) in CKD patients had diminished due to class-specific differences in antiproteinuric effects and lesser efficacy in reducing composite renal clinical outcomes when compared to RAAS inhibition. However, the demonstrated safety and efficacy of CCB in combination with RAAS inhibition, and the recognized need for effective antihypertensive agents to achieve the low target blood pressures, has prompted a more expanded use of calcium channel blockers in this difficult to treat CKD population.