3.1 Justification of the Timetable: Every patient will be observed for a period of 30 months. Patients with end-stage renal failure of non-diabetic origin have a five-year survival expectation of about 35 - 40%, whereas patients with end-stage renal failure of diabetic origin have a five-year survival rate of about 20% (United States Renal Data System: Annual Data Report 2000. Am. J. Kidney Dis. 2000; 36 Suppl. 2, p. 127). It is therefore to be assumed that within 30 months about 35 - 40% of the examined patients will die. This period should be sufficient to observe any possible positive effects of amlodipine on mortality.