Supine Hypertension and Extreme Reverse Dipping Phenomenon Decades after Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Supine hypertension, a consequence of autonomic neuropathy, is a rarely recognized pathological condition. Reported diseases in the background are pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and different autoimmune disorders. Methods: In our case report we present a case of supine hypertension which developed in a patient decades after kidney transplantation. The patient was followed for 25 months and we demonstrate the effect of the modification of antihypertensive medications. Results: At the time of the diagnosis supine hypertension appeared immediately after laying down (office sitting Blood Pressure (BP): 143/101 mmHg; office supine BP: 171/113 mmHg) and on Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) extreme reverse dipping was registered (daytime BP: 130/86 mmHg, nighttime BP: 175/114 mmHg). After the modification of the antihypertensive medications, both office supine BP (office sitting BP: 127/92 mmHg; office supine BP: 138/100 mmHg) and on ABPM nighttime BP improved markedly (daytime BP: 135/92 mmHg, nighttime BP: 134/90 mmHg). Conclusion: In conclusions, our case report points out that autonomic neuropathy-caused supine hypertension and extreme reverse dipping can develop in chronic kidney disease, after kidney transplantation. The modification of the antihypertensive medications can slowly restore this pathological condition.

Keywords

• autonomic neuropathy
• orthostatic hypotension
• supine hypertension
• reverse dipping
• ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• central hemodynamic parameters