Influence of Blood Pressure and Calcineurin Inhibitors on Kidney Function After Heart or Liver Transplantation

Background Chronic kidney disease is common after heart or liver transplantation, with calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) considered the key contributor. A possible influence of posttransplant blood pressure has not been extensively examined. Methods Data from adult recipients of a first heart or liver transplant were analyzed regarding the relationship between blood pressure at year 1, renal function at year 5, and CNI therapy. Results Although we confirmed the well-known detrimental effect of increased 1-year systolic blood pressure on 5-year kidney graft survival, heart or liver graft survival was not affected. However, among 2534 heart transplant recipients with good renal function at year 1, increasing systolic blood pressure at year 1 was associated with higher rates of poor renal function at year 5 posttransplant. This association was confirmed on multivariate analysis overall (odds ratio, 1.25 per 20 mm Hg increment; P
Source: Transplantation - Category: Transplant Surgery Tags: Original Clinical Science—General Source Type: research