Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, and arteriosclerosis. Hypertension also increases serum creatinine, which is a marker of renal dysfunction. Chlorthalidone (CTDN) is an effective agent for lowering blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. However, studies have reported adverse events in specific patients, particularly those with cardiovascular and renal diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effects of CTDN on cardiovascular and renal diseases.
Methods: This study was conducted according to the PRISMA-P guidelines 2015. We systematically searched the PubMed database for keywords related to CTDN, clinical trials, renal dialysis, and hemodialysis. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data.
Results: There were 22 articles included in this study: 17 articles about CTDN and CVDs, and 5 articles about CTDN and renal diseases. This study showed variable results among the published articles. CTDN seems to have a good effect in preventing CVDs, cardiac remodeling, and decreasing blood pressure. However, physicians should consider the potential adverse events that may occur, including hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hyperuricemia, and an increase in serum creatinine levels.
Conclusion: CTDN has a beneficial effect on CVDs. Nonetheless, the use of CTDN in renal diseases should be monitored due to potential adverse events. CTDN may considered inappropriate in cases of severely decreased renal function. Therefore, we recommend that CTDN can be used in patients with hypertension without renal comorbidities.