Update on the long-term complications of renal transplantation.

Journal article

INTRODUCTION: Powerful immunosuppressive regimens have reduced rejection risk, leading to an expanding cohort of long-term kidney transplant recipients who are likely to encounter practitioners in other specialties. SOURCES OF DATA: Key review papers and primary literature identified through searches of PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Death from cardiovascular disease and malignancy remain the chief causes of transplant loss. Risk factors and phenotypes for these differ from the general population. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: Many guidelines for renal transplant recipients are based on extrapolation from studies on non-transplant cohorts and may not be appropriate. Emerging studies demonstrate that established interventions in the general population are less efficacious in transplant recipients. GROWING POINTS: The influence of immunosuppression on the development of complications. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: Markers to guide individualized optimal immunosuppression and predict the development of complications would allow for targeted early intervention.

Authors: Bottomley, M; Harden, P

• Journal: British medical bulletin
• Volume: 106
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 117-134
• Publication date: 2013-01-01
• DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldt012
• EISSN: 1471-8391
• ISSN: 0007-1420
• Language: English
• Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases; Immunosuppression; Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Immunocompromised Host; Humans; Postoperative Care; Kidney Transplantation