| Outcome Measures: |
Primary: Change in diastolic blood pressure in EPO treated patients compared to delayed start controls, In the delayed start group (the control group), the investigators will measure the change in diastolic blood pressure from 0 weeks to 12 weeks compared to the change in diastolic BP from 0 to 12 weeks in the immediate start group., Baseline to 12 weeks|Change in flow mediated dilatation (FMD), Those treated with EPO compared to the delayed start group. The hypothesis being tested is that EPO will cause impairment in endothelial function., Baseline to 4 weeks|Predictors of change in flow mediated dilatation (FMD), A multivariable model will be created to predict the change in FMD from baseline to 4 w. Model 1 will have an indicator variable of those treated with EPO compared to time controls (this is outcome 2 essentially). Model 2 will have the following predictors of this change in addition: baseline values of urine albumin/creat ratio, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), urine nitrate and nitrite, renin, aldosterone, and plasma endothelin-1. Model 3 will include all the variables in Model 1 and 2 and also include change from baseline to 4 weeks in the same variables reported in Model 2., Baseline to 4 weeks | Secondary: Change in systolic blood pressure in EPO treated patients, In the delayed start group (the control group), the investigators will measure the change in systolic blood pressure change from 0 weeks to 12 weeks compared to the change in systolic BP from 0 to 12 weeks in the immediate start group., Baseline to 12 weeks|Between group change in hypertension status, Worsening of hypertension at any time point will be defined as either an increase in blood pressure medication, an increase in seated clinic diastolic blood pressure by greater than or equal to 10 mmHg or systolic blood pressure increase of greater than or equal to 20 mmHg. Between-group change in hypertension status from baseline to 12 weeks will be compared in the immediate start and delayed start groups., Baseline to 12 weeks|Within group change in hypertension status, Worsening of hypertension at any time point will be defined as either an increase in blood pressure medication, an increase in seated clinic diastolic blood pressure by greater than or equal to 10 mmHg or systolic blood pressure increase of greater than or equal to 20 mmHg. Within-group change in hypertension status from 12 weeks to 24 weeks will be compared to the control period of 0 weeks to 12 weeks in the delayed start group., baseline to 12 weeks vs 12 weeks to 24 weeks
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