Parathyroidectomy prior to kidney transplant decreases graft failure.

BACKGROUND: Uncorrected uremic hyperparathyroidism is associated with delayed graft function after kidney transplantation. The current guidelines of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes recommend maintaining parathyroid hormone ≤9x normal in patients pre-kidney transplantation. This study explores the effect of increased levels of serum parathyroid hormone and preoperative parathyroidectomy on outcomes after kidney transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of adult patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2014, at a single institution. Biochemistries and outcomes were analyzed pre-kidney transplantation and at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year post-kidney transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 913 patients underwent kidney transplantation from 2005-2014. Graft survival 1 year post-kidney transplantation was 97.8%. Overall, 462 (50.6%) patients had a pre-kidney transplantation diagnosis of uncorrected uremic hyperparathyroidism, which was associated with complications in the first year post-kidney transplantation (odds ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.87); no statistical association with delayed graft function or graft failure was detected. Pre-kidney transplantation parathyroid hormone ≥6x normal was associated with post-kidney transplantation graft failure (P < .05). A total of 57 (6.2%) patients underwent pre-kidney transplantation parathyroidectomy, which was associated with lesser risk of graft failure (odds ratio: 0.547; 95% confidence interval, 0.327-0.913), but no statistically significant association with delayed graft function or complications were detected. CONCLUSION: Pre-kidney transplantation parathyroidectomy decreases post-kidney transplantation graft failure and may benefit patients whose serum parathyroid hormone levels decrease into the target range of current Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines.

A randomized trial comparing losartan with amlodipine as initial therapy for hypertension in the early post-transplant period.

BACKGROUND: Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the early post-transplant period remains controversial. Angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARB) have many benefits to the patient with chronic kidney disease and these benefits may also apply to the renal transplant recipient (RTR). Additionally, there are theoretical benefits of ARB use in RTR. This study was designed to investigate the safety of early ARB use after renal transplantation. METHODS: RTR with serum creatinine levels <3.0 mg/dl were randomized to receive either ARB (n = 29) or calcium-channel blocker (CCB; n = 27) as initial therapy for post-transplant hypertension. Differences in potassium, creatinine and haemoglobin concentrations were compared at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Withdrawal from the assigned treatment was high: 12 in the ARB group (due to hyperkalaemia in six) and 17 in the CCB group (due to intractable oedema in seven and post-transplant erythrocytosis requiring an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in seven). There were no differences in blood pressure, haemoglobin or creatinine concentration at any time-points. Mean potassium concentrations were only slightly higher in the ARB vs CCB group (range: 4.2-4.3 vs 3.7-3.8 mEq/l, respectively, but clinically significant) and the number of patients with potassium values >6.0 mEq/l was higher in ARB (n = 7) vs CCB (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that hyperkalaemia is the major complication that occurs with the use of ARB in the immediate post-transplant period. ARB use does not affect renal function or complicate the post-transplant management of RTR. Other than reducing the incidence of post-transplant erythrocytosis, ARB use does not cause an excess incidence of anaemia. Strategies to reduce the risk of hyperkalaemia may allow increased use of ARB immediately after kidney transplantation.