Coronary artery disease in renal transplant recipients: an angiographic study

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients (RT). Coronary artery disease (CAD) in such patients is poorly studied. Methods During 2012–2017, 50 patients with a renal graft (functioning for a minimum of 6 months) were subjected to coronary angiography in our institution. They were matched (for age, gender, diabetes, and indication for angiography) with 50 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing chronic dialysis and 50 patients with normal renal function who were subjected to coronary angiography during the same period. The extent and severity of CAD were assessed by using the SYNTAX score. Results RT had a significantly longer duration of ESRD than patients on dialysis (17.5±7.1 vs. 8.5±8.7 years, p p p p =0.04). In the RT group, SYNTAX score significantly correlated with smoking ( p =0.02) and the total vintage of ESRD ( p =0.04). Conclusions In this angiographic study, CAD was less severe in RT than in patients on long-term dialysis despite a longer duration of ESRD. Coronary artery calcification was highly prevalent after renal transplantation. PCI in RT had a high rate of angiographic success.