Fractional excretion of sodium represents an index of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity in the early post-transplant period.

We reviewed the evolution of FENa in the EPP (first 4 weeks) in a group of CyA-treated patients as well as Aza-treated patients who did not present with acute rejection during this period of time. The CyA-treated patients showed lower values of FENa than did Aza-treated patients. Values of FENa below 1% were found in 51% of CyA- and 0% Aza-treated patients (P less than .01) before RFR. The finding of low FENa values was accompanied by more prolonged oliguric and RFR phases. Furthermore, the lower the level of FENa, the higher the prolongation of renal failure. We concluded that FENa values could probably be an index of CyA nephrotoxicity in the EPP.