Blood Pressure Lowering in Dialysis (BOLD) Trial

Blood pressure may be one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage-renal-disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Although a systolic blood pressure \<140 mmHg treatment target has been recommended, there remains uncertainty on which blood pressure should be targeted, more specifically that measured in the dialysis unit or at home. Observational studies have reported a paradoxical U-shaped associated with dialysis unit (pre-dialysis) systolic blood pressure and cardiovascular events and death (where blood pressure below 140 mmHg is actually linked with poor outcomes). Conversely, the same studies have reported a linear association between higher home systolic blood pressure and worse clinical outcomes, where blood pressure below 140 mmHg is associated with better outcomes. This pilot clinical trial aims to address this important question.