Effect of immunosuppressive drug regime on cardiovascular risk profile following kidney transplantation

Abstract We have previously studied cardiovascular risk markers apolipoprotein (a) (apo(a)) and plasma fibrinogen in 146 control, 60 haemodialysis (HD), 53 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 66 renal transplant subjects. Fibrinogen concentration was higher in all 3 renal replacement groups compared to controls. Apo(a) was higher in the CAPD group only. We have now restudied those dialysis patients (24 HD, 16 CAPD) who have since undergone transplantation. Fibrinogen concentration remained elevated in CAPD patients (mean (SE) 3.9 (0.17) vs. 3.77 (0.20) grams/l) and increased in HD patients (2.88 (0.16) vs. 3.72 (0.13) grams/l, P P = 0.008; HD, 230 vs. 179 U/l, P = 0.013). Fibrinogen concentration was higher in the recent group compared to the original group (3.74 (0.11) vs. 3.19 (0.12) grams/l, P = 0.001). None of the 66 original patients received cyclosporin (cyA) compared to 35 of the 40 in the present study. In this recent group, patients maintained on prednisolone and azathioprine alone had significantly lower fibrinogen levels than those receiving cyA. Furthermore, the fall in apo(a) was smaller (31% vs. 74%) and the increase in apolipoprotein B (apo B) greater (0.55 (0.15) vs. 0.18 (0.05) grams/l, P = 0.014) in cyA-treated patients. CyA may have an adverse effect on cardiovascular risk profile in renal transplant recipients.