Ischaemic heart disease is a risk factor for renal failure after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The improvement of a long-term outcomes of heart transplantation (HTx) has resulted in a new phenomenon; specifically, the development of renal dysfunction secondary to calcineurin inhibitor toxicity. This study was designed to assess the participation of risk factors in the development of renal dysfunction in HTx.

METHODS: Data from 310 patients undergoing HTx in our center between 1988-1998 with a post-operation survival period for minimum 5 years (n=155) were analyzed retrospectively. Study cohort was divided into two groups according to renal function estimated by serum creatinine in the fifth year (Group I n=72; serum creatinine > or = 150 micromol/l, Group II: n=83, serum creatinine < 150 micromol/l).

RESULTS: We noted that patients with serum creatinine > or = 150 micromol/l at 5 years post-HTx had renal function significantly worse as early as 1 month (p<0.01), and 1 year post-HTx (p<0.001). The risk for developing renal dysfunction after HTx was doubled in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and 2.5 times higher in those with small body weight gain. End stage renal disease developed in 16 patients (10.3%) and renal transplantation was performed in 13 (8.4%) of them.

CONCLUSION: Our data documented that a history of CAD and limited weight gain is a major risk factor for development of renal dysfunction after HTx. Aggressive modification of risk factors for CAD may reduce the occurrence of this complication.