Diagnostic and therapeutical management of supine hypertension in autonomic failure: a review of the literature.

: Supine hypertension is defined as a blood pressure at least 140 mmHg systolic or at least 90 mmHg diastolic in the supine position; supine hypertension is present in over 50% of patients with autonomic failure and orthostatic hypotension, but it is often overlooked. It may be related to antihypotensive drugs, but its presence in untreated patients suggests a neurogenic origin. Supine hypertension is often asymptomatic although it is associated with multiple organ damage. There are no official guidelines on its treatment and long-term benefits have never been proved. The present review is focused on the management of supine hypertension, including nonpharmacological and pharmacological approach. All the tested drugs have been individually revised, focusing on their hypotensive effect and their ability to act on ancillary targets, such as morning orthostatic tolerance or sodium urine excretion. Moreover, the main pathogenic mechanisms and the correct approach to the diagnosis of supine hypertension have been resumed.