Full Correction of Posttransplant Anemia Is Associated With Stabilized Cardiac Dimensions Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Posttransplant anemia might be associated with cardiovascular morbidity and increased mortality. To our knowledge, the debate on anemia correction has neither been revisited nor decided definitively. We aimed to assess the effects of full correction of posttransplant anemia on the cardiovascular system and quality of life among renal transplant recipients with stable graft function who were using erythropoietin-stimulating agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 247 kidney recipients with stable graft function to be assessed for anemia. Eligible patients were randomized to achieve targeted hemoglobin of 11 to 12 g/dL (group 1, n = 183) or of 13 to 15 g/dL (group 2, n = 64) with the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents. Patients underwent monthly clinical and laboratory evaluations of kidney graft function. Quality of life and echocardiography were assessed at study start and at 12 months. RESULTS: The 2 groups were comparable regarding pretransplant characteristics. In group 2, we observed comparable posttransplant complications (P > .05) but better graft function at 6 months and better cardiac indexes at 1 year of the study (P < .05). At 12 months, quality of life had improved after full correction of posttransplant anemia in the renal transplant recipients who received erythropoietinstimulating agents. CONCLUSIONS: Full correction of posttransplant anemia in renal transplant recipients was associated with improved quality of life and cardiac indexes without an effect on cardiovascular comorbidity.

Contrast-induced Nephropathy in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Data regarding contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in kidney transplant (KT) recipients are scarce despite the distinct risk factors such as the use of immunosuppressive agents, sympathetic denervation, glomerular hyperfiltration, and high prevalence of the cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CIN in KT recipients who received low-osmolality iodine-based contrast material (CM) for radiological assessment. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2020, 79 of the 3180 KT recipients followed at Hamed Al-Essa organ transplant center received low-osmolality iodine-based contrast for radiological assessment for various indications. Preventive measures including holding metformin, intravenous hydration, sodium bicarbonate and N-acetylcysteine were given before contrast administration. CIN was defined as an increase in serum creatinine of 25% from the baseline within 72 hours. RESULTS: The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: those who developed CIN (n = 7) and those with no increase in serum creatinine level (n = 72). The mean age of the patients was 52.1 ± 12.3 years; 44 of them were males, and the cause of end-stage kidney disease was mostly diabetic nephropathy. The pre-transplant demographics were comparable between the two groups. Fortyseven cases received contrast for coronary angiography, and 32 received it for a CT scan. The graft function deteriorated in group 1, but no significant difference was found between the two groups at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: CIN is not uncommon in KT recipients receiving CM, especially with ischemic heart disease. Risk stratification, optimizing hemodynamics, and avoiding potential nephrotoxins are essential before performing CM-enhanced studies in KT recipients.  DOI: 10.52547/ijkd.7165.

Fludrocortisone Among Adult Renal Transplant Recipients With Persistent Hyperkalemia: Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Calcineurin inhibitors are the cornerstone of immunosuppression following solid-organ transplant. However, hyperkalemia may occur by multiple mechanisms affecting potassium in the distal tubule. Hyperkalemia is commonly observed in renal transplant recipients, and it is dose-dependent. Here, we evaluated the impact of fludrocortisone in the management of calcineurin inhibitor-induced hyperkalemia after renal transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated newly transplanted patients who developed hyperkalemia or those with hyperkalemia who attended our outpatient renal transplant clinic (Hamed Al-Essa Organ Transplant Center, Kuwait). Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected before starting fludrocortisone (baseline values) and then at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Drug history was assessed, with any drugs that could induce hyperkalemia being discontinued (such as spironolactone); otherwise, essential drugs like prophylactic agents (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim) were maintained. Oral anti-hyperkalemic doses (bicarbonate, resonium calcium, fludrocortisone) were noted. RESULTS: Our study included 29 patients; most were men (aged 45.8 ± 15 years). Body weight did not significantly change after introduction of fludrocortisone (79.53 ± 24.31, 79.82 ± 23.85, 80.62 ± 24.24, 77.03 ± 20.7, and 79.21 ± 27.93 kg at baseline and at postdose week 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were also similar at baseline versus postdose. Steroid doses (prednisolone) were significantly reduced over 1 month (15.7 ± 12.4, 14.1 ± 10.19, 12.6 ± 8.7, 9.5 ± 5.2, and 9.5 ± 5.2 mg/ day). Serum potassium levels significantly improved (5.18 ± 0.58, 4.9 ± 0.49, 4.8 ± 0.54, 4.8 ± 0.65, and 4.4 ± 0.72 mmol/L). Serum creatinine levels significantly improved by postdose week 8 (129.28 ± 48.9, 130.92 ± 52.2, 127.66 ± 50.9, 121.42 ± 41.7, and 124.1 ± 51.27 µmol/L). Serum bicarbonate levels remained similar. CONCLUSIONS: Fludrocortisone was a safe and effective option in management of calcineurin inhibitor-induced hyperkalemia among renal transplant recipients.

Medication compliance and lifestyle adherence in renal transplant recipients in Kuwait.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment choice for end stage renal disease; this option needs a major change in the recipients' lifestyle and requires strict adherence to medications. The study aim was to assess the compliance of renal transplant patients to medications and lifestyle modifications in the Hamed Al-Essa Organ Transplant Center in Kuwait. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred and twenty renal transplant patients were interviewed for their lifestyle behaviors after transplantation, including transplant adherence to their medications, healthy meals, personal hygiene, physical activity, regular out-patient follow up visits, and preventive measures against infection and cancer, in addition to sexual function. The questionnaire used was created by staff of the Faculty of Medicine, Mansura University, Egypt. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the renal transplant patients were compliant with medications and lifestyle. Risk factors associated with poor medication compliance were being Kuwaiti citizens, women, and having had unrelated living donors (p<0.05). Compliance with medications was associated with less transplant related complications (p=0.003). Only 15% of the participants were compliant with low-salt diet, 8% with low-fat, and 11% with low-carb. One fourth of patients were compliant with a daily shower and 20% were physically active. More than 70% of the patients were regularly visiting the out-patient clinic. Compliance to preventive measures against infection was observed in 85% of patients but only 5% were avoiding direct sun exposure. Half of the male patients had sexual dysfunction but only half of them were consulting their nephrologists about it. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplant patients in Kuwait had moderate compliance with medications and lifestyle modifications. Closer assessment is needed to identify the risk factors before and after transplantation to avoid any complications associated with non-compliance.

Thymoglobulin-Resistant T-Cell-Mediated Acute Rejection in a Pregnant Renal Transplant Recipient: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

To avoid graft rejection during pregnancy, frequent monitoring of serum drug levels is recommended. Pregnancy induces hyperfiltration in transplanted kidneys, as in native kidneys; therefore, detection of rejection can be difficult when monitoring by serum creatinine. If rejection is suspected, ultrasonographguided graft biopsy can be done; once proven, it can be treated with pulse steroids, but data are scarce regarding other agents. Here, we present a 28-year-old pregnant female patient with resistant acute rejection but with successful pregnancy outcome. Our patient had end-stage kidney disease secondary to lupus nephropathy and underwent living-donor renal transplant in May 2013 after hemodialysis support for 1 year. She received thymoglobulin as induction therapy and was maintained on prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. She had normal renal graft function without proteinuria. After she received counseling, she became pregnant in February 2015. In June 2015, she presented with acute graft dysfunction with serum creatinine level of 365 µmol/L. Her abdominal ultrasonography showed mild hydronephrosis and viable fetus. She received empirical pulse steroids with partial response, and her graft biopsy showed acute T-cell-mediated rejection and negative C4d. Intravenous immunoglobulins and minipulse steroids were administered but without response. After gynecologic counseling and informed consent, she received 5 doses of thymoglobulin. She was dialysis dependent until premature vaginal labor, which resulted in birth of a viable 2-kg boy. We suggest that successful pregnancy outcomes could occur with close monitoring and daily dialysis in female kidney transplant patients with resistant rejection.

Successful Management of Late-Onset Cytomegalovirus-Induced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Kidney Transplant Recipient After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Hemophagocytic syndrome combines febrile hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, hypofibrinemia, and hepatic dysfunction. It is characterized by bone marrow and organ infiltration of activated, nonmalignant macrophages that phagocytize blood cells. It is rare among renal transplant recipients. Here, we present the successful management of late-onset cytomegalovirusinduced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a kidney transplant recipient after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In 2012, our patient had end-stage kidney disease due to diabetic nephropathy and underwent related living-donor renal transplant. He was also hypertensive and hyperuricemic and had heart ischemia for which percutaneous coronary intervention for triple vessel disease was performed before transplant. In March 2017, he underwent successful aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft surgery; however, the patient had persistent thrombocytopenia. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was negative. His bone marrow showed hemophagocytosis possibly due to cytomegalovirus. Moreover, antiglycoprotein IIb/IIIA autoantibodies were positive. A positron emission tomography scan was negative for malignancy. He started treatment for cytomegalovirus with modifi cation of his immunosuppressive regimen (pulse steroid). Antiplatelet therapy was held and only resu med if platelet count exceeded 30000/L. Moreover, he received intravenous immunoglobulin and romiplostim treatment with partial response. Throughout treatment, he had stable kidney graft function with improving platelet count. A multi disciplinary approach is needed to treat patients with hemophagocytic syndrome, especially renal transplant recipients. Late-onset cytomegalovirus is an important cause for this syndrome.