Review article

Cardiovascular Diseases Prior to and Post Kidney Transplantation – Challenges in Diagnostics and Therapies

Sanjin Rački

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is the most successful method of treatment for patients with chronic kidney disease. Compared to dialysis, kidney transplants can bring about lower patient morbidity and mortality. Although kidney transplants do not necessarily cure patients with chronic kidney disease, surgery offers fewer comorbidities and complications, as well as a better quality of life. Good pre-transplantation preparation ensures fewer post-surgical complications. Numerous comorbidities that occur during the natural course of chronic kidney disease should be detected as accurately as possible and, if feasible, treated before the transplant itself. Cardiovascular diseases are at the top of the list of causes and effects of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Kidney transplantation does not put an end to the resulting comorbidities, on the contrary, it can exacerbate them even more. Arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, post-transplant diabetes, smoking, obesity, etc., are among the chief cardiovascular risk factors. Their treatment pre and post transplantation is of crucial importance. Immunosuppression, although necessary to sustain the transplanted kidney, may adversely affect the incidence of cardiovascular diseases following transplantation. Optimizing and adapting to the individual cardio-metabolic risk of the patient is essential. Numerous studies, although insufficient, have shown the benefit of various drugs on the patient’s cardio-metabolic risk. Multidisciplinary support of different professional fields is essential to correctly monitor patients after kidney transplantation to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords

cardiovascular disease; morbidity; mortality; kidney transplantation; chronic kidney disease

Hrčak ID:

315859

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/315859

Publication date:

9.4.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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