Assessment of cardiovascular risk in waiting-listed renal transplant patients: a single center experience in 558 cases

Clin Transplant. 2009 Sep-Oct;23(5):653-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01018.x. Epub 2009 Jun 26.

Abstract

Cardiac screening is recommended to prevent cardiovascular death after renal transplantation. This retrospective observational study illustrates the results of application of a cardiac assessment algorithm in a series of 558 renal transplant candidates at a single center in Turin, Italy. A dipyridamole-stress sestamibi myocardial scintiscan (DMS) performed in 302/558 (54.1%) cases was positive in 52 (17.2%), negative in 200 (66.2%), borderline in 16 (5.3%), and with signs of previous necrosis in 34 (11.4%). Coronary lesions detected by angiography in 48.1% of the 52 positives were treated medically (13.5%) or by percutaneous/surgical procedure (34.6%). Coronary lesions were detected in 14.1% of asymptomatic population subgroup. The minor and major cardiovascular event rates and the cardiovascular death rate were 1.9%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, in positive DMS group (high-cardiological risk) vs. 10%, 4.5%, and 3.5% in the negatives (p > 0.5; n.s.). It is suggested that not increased cardiovascular event or deaths rates in the high-risk group reflect early coronary lesion detection and correction. Since 55.9% of cardiovascular events or deaths occurred in the negative group more than 24 months after the DMS, its mandatory repetition every two yr after a negative finding is recommended.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Algorithms
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Dipyridamole
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / surgery*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Waiting Lists*

Substances

  • Dipyridamole