Calcium channel blockers in kidney transplantation

To review the question as to whether treatment with a calcium channel blocker (CCB) influences the course and outcome of cadaveric renal transplantation in recipients treated with cyclosporin A.

Computer-assisted search (Medline) and manual search of the literature. Odds ratio, Mantel-Haenszel test, Fischer's test and Chi 2 test.

Two Randomised, placebo-controlled studies, 12 randomised, open studies, 3 retrospective studies, 1 study using a historic control group and 3 studies only reported in abstract form were identified. In the randomised, open studies treatment with CCB reduced the rate of delayed graft function but had no effect on the rate of rejection and graft survival. The effect on graft function was equivocal. In the blind, placebo-controlled studies no beneficial effects of treatment with CCB were found. Treatment with CCB reduced the dose of CyA needed to reach target whole blood level of CyA in nearly all studies.

Results are conflicting. Further studies are needed.