Nephrotoxicity of parenterally administered cyclosporine after orthotopic liver transplantation

The frequency of nephrotoxicity in the absence of identifiable prerenal or postrenal causes within five days of operation in 27 liver transplant recipients was found to be 71% in those treated with i.v. cyclosporine alone, 37.5% with i.m. cyclosporine alone, and 16.7% with prednisolone and azathioprine. Renal failure following i.v. cyclosporine was characterized by an immediate fall in urine output and creatinine clearance with well-preserved tubular function--findings consistent with a reduction in renal blood flow or glomerular filtration rate, or both.