Changes in Cardiac Parameters of Renal Allograft Recipients: A Compilation of Clinical, Laboratory, and Echocardiographic Observations

Abstract

Introduction This study was undertaken to observe changes in cardiac parameters along with clinical and laboratory changes after renal transplantation. Patients and Methods Cardiac parameters were evaluated by M-mode 2-dimensional echocardiography before transplantation and at monthly intervals. All subjects had functioning grafts at the time of the evaluations. Results Fifty-two allograft recipients underwent pretransplant parameters for comparison to those at posttransplant months 1, 3, 6, and 12. When changes at month 1 and 3 were observed among 22 patients, improvements were evident at month 3. Comparisons of pretransplant versus month 3 showed systolic blood pressure (SBP), 161 ± 16 to 133 ± 26 mmHg ( P < .002); diastolic BP (DBP), 101 ± 9 to 86 ± 11 mmHg, ( P < .006); hemoglobin (Hgb), 7.3 ± 1.6 to 11.2 ± 3.9 g/dL ( P < .006); left atrial diameter (LAD), 41 ± 5 to 35 ± 3 mm ( P < .001); left ventricular muscle mass index (LVMI), 379 ± 114 to 248 ± 58 g/m 2 ( P < .001); and left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), 96 ± 28 to 64 ± 17 mL/m 2 ( P < .002). When changes at months 3, 6, and 12 were observed among 30 patients, improvements evident at month 3 were maintained. Comparisons of pretransplant and 3 and 12 months observations showed SBP, 157 ± 17, 131 ± 14, to 126 ± 10 mm Hg ( P < .001); DBP, 97 ± 10, 83 ± 16, to 85 ± 6 mmHg ( P < .001); Hgb, 7 ± 1, 13 ± 2, to 13 ± 2 g/dL ( P < .001); LAD, 39 ± 7, 35 ± 3, to 34 ± 4 mm ( P < .05); LVMI, 275 ± 91, 191 ± 38, to 159 ± 26 g/m 2 ( P < .001); and LVEDVI, 87 ± 29, 56 ± 34, to 49 ± 24 mL/m 2 ( P < .001). Conclusion Significant improvements in cardiac parameters were evident by the third month post-renal transplantation; the changes were maintained over a longer period among patients with functional grafts.