Echocardiography analysis in renal transplant recipients

Introduction: Renal transplantation is currently the preferred treatment modality for virtually all suitable candidates with end-stage renal disease. Compared with dialysis, kidney transplantation improves both patient survival and quality of life. Nonetheless, post transplant cardiac complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. Aim of the Study: To analyze the risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the renal transplant recipients. Materials and methods: All renal transplant recipients were ABO compatible and cross-match negative and they are followed up regularly in nephrology transplant OPD. Recipients’ demographic factors like Age, Gender, Occupation, and Literacy were noted. Nature of donor, post transplant duration, graft function was noted Blood pressure was reported as the average of three manual Measurements taken at 3-minutes intervals. Echocardiograph changes were assessed by standard methods. Results: Although all the determinants of enhanced CVD risks in renal transplant recipients had not been well defined, both conventional and unconventional risk factors had been suggested to be contributory. The former risks included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, and family history. The latter risks include pre-existing left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary artery vascular calcification, impaired allograft function, proteinuria, anemia, acute rejection episodes, hyper homocysteinemia, and inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Cardiovascular mortality is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease. Mortality from cardiovascular disease is10?20 times higher among individuals treated with dialysis, as compared to general population. The incidence of cardiovascular disease in kidney transplant patients is nearly twice that of the general population. Even young transplant recipients (aged 35?45 years) experienced an almost 10-fold increase in cardiovascular disease-related mortality.