Treating Home Versus Predialysis Blood Pressure Among In-Center Hemodialysis Patients: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Rationale & Objective: Observational studies have reported a U-shaped association between blood pressure (BP) before a hemodialysis session and death. In contrast, because a linear association between out-of-dialysis-unit BP and death has been reported, home BP may be a better target for treatment. To test the feasibility of this approach, we conducted a pilot trial of treating home versus predialysis BP in hemodialysis patients. Study Design: A 4-month, parallel, randomized, controlled trial. Settings & Participants: 50 prevalent hemodialysis patients in San Francisco and Seattle. Participants were randomly assigned using 1:1 block randomization, stratified by site. Interventions: To target home systolic BP (SBP) of 100-<140 mm Hg versus predialysis SBP of 100-<140 mm Hg. Home and predialysis SBPs were ascertained every 2 weeks. Dry weight and BP medications were adjusted to reach the target SBP. Outcomes: Primary outcomes were feasibility, adherence, safety. and tolerability. Results: 50 of 70 (71%) patients who were approached agreed to participate. All enrollees completed the study except for 1 who received a kidney transplant. In the home BP treatment group, adherence to obtaining/reporting home BP was 97.4% (and consistent over the 4 months). There was no increased frequency of high (defined as SBP > 200 mm Hg; 0.2% vs 0%) or low (defined as <90 mm Hg; 1.8% vs 1.2%) predialysis BP readings in the home versus predialysis treatment arms, respectively. However, participants in the home BP arm had higher frequency of fatigue (32% vs 16%). Limitations: Small sample size. Conclusions: This pilot trial demonstrates feasibility and high adherence to home BP measurement and treatment in hemodialysis patients. Larger trials to test the long-term feasibility, efficacy, and safety of home BP treatment in hemodialysis patients should be conducted.