Metabolic Profile and Cardiovascular Risk in a Population of Renal Transplant Recipients

Abstract

IntroductionCardiovascular disease is more common in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) than in the general population, and is the major cause of both graft loss and patient death in RTRs. ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterize the cardiovascular risk factors, calculate the 7-year risk for major adverse cardiac events and the 7-year risk for death in a population of RTRs using a cardiovascular risk calculator, and determine the main cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased prediction of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and death. PatientsThis is a retrospective review of clinical data from 121 RTRs who are in follow-up programs at our institution, and who had a functioning and stable graft for longer than 6 months. ResultsAmong 121 adult patients followed at our institution (59.5% males, mean age of 49.6 ± 13.8 years, mean times for functioning grafts were 105 ± 73.5 mo), 86.8% had hypertension, 19.8% had diabetes, 24.8% were current or former smokers, 61.9% had increased body mass index, and 71% had dyslipidemia. The 7-year risk for MACE was more than 10% in 38 (31.4%) patients with age, diabetes, and smoke being independent risk predictors. The 7-year risk for death was more than 10% in 56 (46.3%) patients with age, diabetes, blood pressure, smoking, and male gender being independent risk predictors. ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of RTRs, and there is increased risk for MACE and death. Accurate risk prediction is important for physician decision support and patient education, promoting improved cardiovascular health of RTRs, and thus prolonging the survival of both patients and graft.