Renal transplantation in dialysis patients with the history of coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiac valve replacement

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Renal Transplant Recipients: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the most common cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease, including patients after kidney transplantation. The aim of the study was to do a retrospective analysis of CV risk in renal transplant recipients (RTRs).

METHODS

The analysis of CV risk was based on the following scales: QRISK2, Framingham (assessment of development of CV disease), PROCAM (assessment of any CV incident), and Pol-SCORE (assessment of CV death) within a 10-year period. Out of 150 RTRs transplanted in 2007-2009, 100 RTRs (65 male/35 female) with an average age of 48.4 years were enrolled in the study. Coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus were diagnosed in 7% and 15% of participants, respectively. Coronarography was performed in 38% of patients. Hypertension was diagnosed in 98% of participants, myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 6% of participants, and stroke was diagnosed in 2% of participants.

RESULTS

High and very high risk of CV endpoint according to QRISK2, PROCAM, Framingham, and Pol-SCORE scales was found in 41%, 8%, 10%, and 41% of patients, respectively. After 5 years of follow-up, a total of 13 CV events (myocardial infarction and stroke) were observed in 11 patients. Among these patients, the highest risk of endpoint according to QRISK2, PROCAM, Framingham, and Pol-SCORE scales was found in 36%, 9%, 18%, and 45% of patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The QRISK2 and Pol-SCORE scales seem to be the most predictive in assessing CV risk in RTRs.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of asymptomatic ischemic heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease--review of literature and single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) may be present in kidney transplant (KT) candidates without the presence of CAD clinical symptoms. This study joins an ongoing discussion about appropriate noninvasive diagnostic approaches for ischemic heart disease (IHD) assessment and patient selection for revascularization procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in IHD diagnosis in initially asymptomatic maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

Forty HD patients aged 52.4 ± 2.0 years, were studied for 2.5 years. At inclusion, they were free of both symptoms and history of IHD. Standard electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, standard echocardiography, DSE, 24-hour Holter ECG, and Doppler ultrasonography (carotids and lower extremities) were performed. Results were analyzed according to a predefined diagnostic algorithm.

RESULTS

DSE yielded negative results in all patients. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≤ 60%, LV hypertrophy, and Holter ECG silent ischemia features were noticed in 15%, 70%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Atherosclerotic lesions in lower extremities and carotid arteries were present in 50% and 37.5% of patients, respectively. During the follow-up, 9/40 patients died, including 6 cardiovascular (CV) deaths: 2 with intermediate and 4 with high CV risk according to the proposed algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

In asymptomatic KT candidates, not only DSE, but also other noninvasive tests (eg, echocardiography and Doppler ultrasonography of the carotid and peripheral arteries) along with a detailed profile of the remaining CV risk factors should be performed and analyzed. Defined composition of risk factors and particular changes in noninvasive tests may be an indication for coronary angiography.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk during peritransplant period in renal transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the leading cause of death among patients with chronic kidney disease, including patients on dialysis and after kidney transplantation. The aim of study was the retrospective assessment of CV risk in renal transplant recipients during the peritransplant period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Evaluation of CV risk was made using the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI). One hundred kidney transplant recipient (60 males/40 females) participated in the study. In 82 recipients (82%), the RCRI index was 2 points, which was associated with a 6.6% risk of cardiac events. The remaining 18 patients (18%) had ≥3 RCRI points, which was associated with an 11% risk. The median RCRI score in the study group was 2.26, which was related to a risk of 7.39%.

RESULTS

In the perioperative period, there were no CV events. The study group was observed for 5 years after transplantation, and during this time, 11 CV incidents occurred. Most of CV incidents occurred during the first 25 months after transplantation. Among patients, who underwent a CV incident, the RCRI was 3 and 2 points in 4 and 5 patients, respectively. Significant correlations were found between RCRI and both age and time spent on dialysis (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who qualify for a transplant are at a significant risk of having a CV incident in the peri- and postoperative periods. CV incidents did not occur in the perioperative period, although as many as 6% of patients experienced CV incidents within 2 years after transplant. Four (44%) of the 9 patients who experienced CV incidents after transplantation had a very high RCRI. This indicates the need for a very thorough long-term cardiologic supervision of transplanted patients.