ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cardiovascular disease is a substantial health problem in renal transplant patients, and ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death in these patients. Renal transplant patients have many conventional risk factors for atherosclerotic coronary artery diaese, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and posttransplant diabetes mellitus. This study were to evaluate the prevalence of angiographically-determined coronary artery occlusive disease (CAOD) in renal transplant patients, and to identify the risk factors for significant coronary artery disease. METHODS: The retrospective study were performed in 36 patients with renal transplantation who underwent coronary angiography to diagnose ischemic heart disease. RESULTS: A total of 36 recipients (27 males, 9 females) were studied and the mean age was 51.5 years. Significant CAOD was identified in 69% of patients (1-vessel: 19%, 2: 25, 3: 25). By univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the association of clinical variables with CAOD was assessed. The interval between the diagnosis of end-stage renl disease and renaltransplantation was an independent risk factor (P<0.05). The variables such as old age, acute rejection episodes, cholesterol level, as well as the presence of obesity, and D.M,. were not associated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of angiographically-determined CAOD in renal transplant recipients is 69%. The risk of CAOD seems to be increased in recipients with long duration of dialysis before transplantation. The early or preemptive transplantation could be recommended for preventing CAOD in renal transplantation candidates.