Vardaman M. Buckalew, Jr., M.D.

Professor, Internal Medicine

University of North Carolina, B.A. (1954) University of Pennsylvania, M.D. (1958)

Clinical Trials in Renal Disease and Hypertension

Chronic renal failure tends to progress to end stage at a somewhat predictable rate. Several common factors that may play a role include elevated blood pressure and high protein diet. Currently, we are one of 15 clinical centers participating in a trial to evaluate the role of these two factors in humans. Ancillary studies are planned to investigate the incidence of renal disease in study screens and methods of detecting subclinical renal disease. We are also participating in a clinical trial regarding the effect of a calcium channel blocker on progression of carotid atherosclerosis, a surrogate for coronary artery disease.