The long-term effect of delayed graft function on cadaveric renal transplants treated with low-dose cyclosporine

We evaluated the long-term effect of delayed graft function (DGF) on cadaveric renal transplant patients treated with "low-dose" cyclosporine (CsA). Between January 1985 and December 1986, 103 cadaveric renal transplants were performed. Patients were divided into 3 groups, depending upon graft function 3 days posttransplantation (PT): 1) no DGF with serum creatinine (SCr) levels less than 2 mg/dl, 2) moderate DGF with SCr of 2.0-6.9 mg/dl, and 3) severe DGF with SCr of more than 7.0 mg/dl. Overall actuarial graft survival rates for 1, 2, 3, and 4 years PT were 86, 75, 69, and 69%, respectively. Graft survival rates were the same for the 3 DGF groups at all times up to 4 years PT. Initially, renal function was best in the no DGF group, but there was no effect of DGF on renal function in any of the 3 groups 2-4 years PT. We conclude that DGF does not effect the long-term results of cadaveric renal transplants when "low-dose" CsA and prednisone are used as immunosuppressive agents.