Characteristics of coronary heart disease in renal transplant recipients

The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of coronary heart disease (CHD) in renal transplant recipients as well as to assess the impact of coronary angiography on allograft function. The 21 cases including 2 women and 19 men who underwent coronary angiography were retrospectively studied for age at transplantation and at diagnosis of coronary disease; risk factors; angio findings; serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values before and after angio; and revascularization procedures. The mean ages at transplantation and at diagnosis were 40 +/- 7 years and 44 +/- 7 years, respectively. Eighteen patients (86%) had hypertension, 16 (76%) exhibited hyperlipidemia, and 5 (24%) diabetes mellitus. Coronary angiography revealed three-vessel disease in 10 patients, two-vessel disease in 3 patients, one-vessel disease in 4 patients, ectatic vessels in 2 patients, and normal coronary arteries in 2 patients. The mean serum creatinine and BUN levels after angio were not significantly different from the baseline values (pre creatinine and BUN 1.7 +/- 0.5 mg/dL and 33.8 +/- 8.6 mg/dL versus post 1.8 +/- 0.6 mg/dL and 32.8 +/- 10.0 mg/dL, respectively). Ten patients with three-vessel disease underwent coronary artery bypass surgery; 4 patients, coronary angioplasty. The other patients received medical therapy. The study showed an increased likelihood of three-vessel disease among recipients compared with the general population and confirmed that coronary artery bypass surgery may be performed successfully in these patients. In conclusion coronary angiography is a safe diagnostic procedure with respect to allograft function.