Transplant Nephrectomy: A Comparative Study of Timing and Techniques in a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND Transplant nephrectomy (TN) has historically been associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Our objective is to share our own experience and compare indications and surgical outcomes between early and late TN and intracapsular (ICAN) and extracapsular allograft nephrectomy (ECAN) techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS Our study included all 69 TN procedures performed between January 2010 and February 2021. Of these, 17 TN procedures were performed within the first 60 days after transplantation (referred to as 'early'), while the remaining 52 procedures were performed later ('late'). Within the late allograft nephrectomy (AN) group, we compared the outcomes of intracapsular (ICAN) and extracapsular (ECAN) techniques. We conducted a statistical analysis using the chi-square test and the 2-sample t test. RESULTS The primary indication for early TN was surgical transplant complications (94.1%), with 58.8% of these cases requiring emergency surgery. Morbidity (major complications) occurred in 47.1% of cases, and mortality was 5.9%. In contrast, graft intolerance syndrome was the leading indication for late TN (76.9%), with elective surgery performed in 88.5% of cases. Morbidity (major complications) occurred in 11.5% of cases, and mortality was 3.8%. Within the late TN group, 82.7% of cases were treated with ICAN and 17.3% with ECAN. Blood transfusion was required during surgery in 17.3% of cases, with no significant difference between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the timing of surgery was the only statistically significant predictor of complication occurrence. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that TN can be performed with relatively low morbidity. However, early TN remains the only independent risk factor for developing adverse outcomes.

Incidence, risk factors and prognostic impact of acute kidney injury after coronary angiography and intervention in kidney transplant recipients: a single-center retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) represent a high-risk population for cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. In KTR, coronary angiography and intervention (CI) can be associated with the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). AIM: Data about the incidence and impact of AKI after CI in this population are rare. The aim of the present study is to describe the incidence and risk factors of AKI, periprocedural bleeding and the prognostic impact on 1-year mortality in KTR undergoing CI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study includes all KTR undergoing CI at University Hospital Frankfurt between 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: A total of 135 CIs in KTR were analyzed. AKI occurred in 31 of 135 CIs (23%, AKI group). Patients of the AKI group were older; other baseline characteristics did not show significant differences. The amount of contrast dye used was higher in the AKI group (p = NS). Periprocedural bleeding defined by BARC criteria occurred more often in the AKI group (23% vs. 5%, p < 0.01) and persisted as a risk factor of AKI in multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 6.43, 95% CI: 1.78-23.20, p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality was 3% in the AKI group; no patient of the non-AKI group died during hospitalization (p = 0.2). One-year-survival was significantly higher in the non-AKI group (94% vs. 81%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: AKI is an important prognostic determinant in KTR undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Periprocedural bleeding events were associated with AKI. Well-known risk factors for AKI such as contrast agent and diabetes were of minor impact.

Comparison of interventional and surgical myocardial revascularization in kidney transplant recipients - A single-centre retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) reflect a high-risk population for coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the most common cause for morbidity and mortality in this population. However, only few data are available on the favourable revascularization strategy for these patients as they were often excluded from studies and not mentioned in guidelines. METHODS: This retrospective single-centre study includes patients with a history of kidney transplantation undergoing myocardial revascularization for multivessel or left main CAD by either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, n = 27 patients) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, n = 24 patients) at University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany, between 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was higher in the CABG group (20.8% vs. 14.8% PCI group; p = 0.45). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, one-year-survival showed better outcome in the PCI group (85.2% vs. 75%). After four years, outcome was comparable between both strategies (PCI 66.5% vs. CABG 70.8%; log-rank p = 0.94).Acute kidney injury (AKI), classified by Acute Kidney Injury Network, was observed more frequently after CABG (58.3% vs. 18.5%; p < 0.01). After one year, graft survival was 95.7% in the PCI group and 94.1% in the CABG group. Four year follow-up showed comparable graft survival in both groups (76.8% PCI and 77.0% CABG; p = 0.78). CONCLUSION: In this retrospective single-centre study of KTR requiring myocardial revascularization, PCI seems to be superior to CABG with regard to in-hospital mortality, acute kidney injury and one-year-survival. To optimise treatment of these high-risk patients, larger-scaled studies are urgently warranted.