Changes in pulmonary function in patients with chronic renal failure after successful renal transplantation

Objective. Pulmonary function abnormalities have been described in patients with chronic renal failure. There are very few longitudinal studies showing the effect of renal transplantation on pulmonary function. We aimed to study the effects of renal failure on pulmonary functions and to observe the changes following successful renal transplantation. Material and methods. Patients with end-stage renal failure (n=25) of various etiologies who presented to the renal transplant unit of a teaching hospital were included in this prospective, longitudinal study. Patients with a prior history of pulmonary disease and chronic smokers were excluded. Pulmonary function tests were performed and blood gases evaluated before and 6 months after successful renal transplantation. Results. Most patients showed pulmonary function abnormalities which improved significantly after transplantation. The mean vital capacity increased from 2.89 (95% CI 2.63–3.15) l pre-transplantation to 3.32 (95% CI 3.09–3.54) l post-transplantat...