Luis Guirado

Intravesical bacillus calmette-gue??rin for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer in renal transplant patients

Background. Intravesical instillations with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is considered the treatment of choice in the prophylaxis of high-grade superficial bladder carcinoma and in the treatment of carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. Methods. There is no previous experience with BCG treatment in patients with renal transplantation. Theoretically, immunosuppression is a contraindication because of the risk of severe morbidity and sepsis. We present our experience with endovesical BCG in three renal transplant patients, under immunosuppressive treatment, with high-grade superficial bladder cancer and CIS. Results. Two patients are free of disease at 17 and 60 months. One patient developed disease recurrence and underwent a radical cystectomy. There was neither change in renal function nor any clinical evidence of tuberculous infection. Conclusions. Intravesical BCG in superficial bladder cancer and/or CIS is a valid option, with no added morbidity to renal transplant patients.

Laparoscopic Kidney Transplantation

We present the details of the first laparoscopic transplantation of a kidney from a living, related donor, performed April 16, 2009. Surgical and functional results were acceptable. Surgical time was 240 min (53 min for vascular suture), with blood loss of 300 cm(3) and a hospital stay of 14 d. Serum creatinine at discharge was 73 mmol/l. Laparoscopic kidney transplantation is a complex technique that requires previous experience in vascular and laparoscopic surgery. As with all novel procedures, technical modifications will be required to formalize its use and detailed comparisons will need to be made with standard procedures.

Practical recommendations for the early use of m‐TOR inhibitors (sirolimus) in renal transplantation

m‐TOR inhibitors (e.g. sirolimus) are well‐tolerated immunosuppressants used in renal transplantation for prophylaxis of organ rejection, and are associated with long‐term graft survival. Early use of sirolimus is often advocated by clinicians, but this may be associated with a number of side‐effects including impaired wound‐healing, lymphoceles and delayed graft function. As transplant clinicians with experience in the use of sirolimus, we believe such side‐effects can be limited by tailored clinical management. We present recommendations based on published literature and our clinical experience. Furthermore, guidance is provided on sirolimus use during surgery, both at transplantation and for subsequent operations.

Significance of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplantation

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between vascular lesion chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in kidney transplanted patients. We studied 259 consecutive kidney transplant recipients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months; the induction immunosuppressive therapy included a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil, steroids, and the use of an antilymphocyte serum if the patients developed delayed graft function. CMV early antigen detection (pp65) was performed on a weekly basis between days 30 and 90 post transplantation. Prophylactic treatment was administered in the donor +/recipient-risk group, and preemptive therapy delivered for positive antigenemia namely 3 days of intravenous [IV] gancyclovir [GCV] plus 11 days of oral therapy [in the case of infection], or 14 days of IV GCV [in the case of disease]). An acute kidney allograft rejection episode preceded CMV in 64.3% of the patients, and CMV preceded acute rejection in 35.7% of the cases. We conclude that CMV disease is an independent risk factor for CAN. CMV infection is probably associated with CAN, suggesting that the greater the viral load, the higher the risk of CAN. It may be advisable to perform universal prophylaxis to lower the viral load and CAN.

Elderly donor kidney grafts into young recipients: Results at 5 years

Background. To date, few data are available on older donor renal grafts transplanted into young recipients. We compare 63 kidneys grafts from donors older than 60 years transplanted into recipients younger than 60 years (group 1) with a control group of 235 patients in whom both recipients and donors were younger than 60 years (group 2). Results. Patient survival rates at 1 and 5 years, respectively, were 98% and 95% (group 1) and 95% and 84% (group 2) (P =0.01). Graft survival rates were 95% and 83% in group 1 versus 94% and 81% in group 2, although death censoring was significant (100% and 98% group 1 vs. 96% and 86% group 2, P =0.04). In group 1, plasmatic creatinemia was significantly higher. The aged donor, female donor-male recipient combination, and the presence of acute rejection alone or together with acute tubular necrosis, were determinants for worse renal functioning at 1 year after transplantation. Seven patients had chronic nephropathy not related to any clinical parameter. Conclusion. We conclude that kidneys from older donors can be successfully transplanted to younger patients.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease after renal transplantation.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have become the leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients. Well-known cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and graft dysfunction both play an important role in the development of the posttransplantation CV events. We studied 233 stable kidney transplant patients to establish the prevalence of CVD and to assess CV risk factors that can be evaluated (and modified) in daily clinical practice. While 6.2% of the patients had coronary heart disease (CHD) before the transplantation, 16% displayed at least 1 CV event posttransplantation. The most significant factors associated with CV events were as follows: gender, length of smoking, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCV), dyslipidemia, proteinuria, and serum creatinine levels.

Clinical and pathological outcomes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in native kidneys of patients with end-stage renal disease: a long-term comparative retrospective study with RCC diagnosed in the general population

Purpose Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This retrospective study compared clinical and pathological outcomes of RCC occurring in native kidneys of patients with ESRD (whether they underwent kidney transplantation or not) with those of renal tumors diagnosed in the general population.

Balloon Dilatation in the Treatment of Ureteral Stenosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Objective: To assess the usefulness of balloon percutaneous dilatation as a starting treatment technique of ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients. Patients and Methods: A total of 472 kidney transplants have been performed at our center between August 1981 and January 1997. The coexistence of high creatinine values and urinary tract dilatation in the postoperative period, after discarding concomitant causes, was managed with a percutaneous nephrostomy. Once renal function had recovered, antegrade pyelography was performed to confirm ureteral stenosis and to determine its location. The dilatations are performed by means of 5-french balloon-fitted angioplasty catheters. Results: Thirty patients were diagnosed with ureteral stenosis during follow-up, i.e. an incidence of 6.3%. Transluminal balloon dilatation was made as a first therapeutic option in 18 cases. No immediate complications were observed following dilatation. Disappearance of the stenosis as well as maintenance of the improvement in creatinine levels were verified in 39% of cases (7 patients). Conclusions: Ureteral stenosis in kidney transplant recipients should be included as part of the differential diagnosis when there is a deterioration in renal function. Balloon dilatation is the technique chosen as initial treatment of juxtavesical ureteral stenosis because of its good reproducibility and its low morbidity.

Open-Label Trial: Effect of Weekly Risedronate Immediately After Transplantation in Kidney Recipients

Background. Treatment with oral risedronate to prevent bone mineral density (BMD) loss in renal transplant recipients has been shown to be effective. There is no agreement on the optimum moment of introduction or how long it should be continued. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of risedronate at doses of 35 mg/week in renal transplant recipients who underwent treatment immediately after transplant. Methods. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 101 renal transplant patients. The study group (52 patients) received 35 mg risedronate weekly, vitamin D, and calcium, whereas the control group (49 patients) received only vitamin D and calcium. At baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, basic biochemistry and mineral bone metabolic parameters were determined. Vertebra and hip fracture assessment was performed by means of x-ray and DEXA; an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results. Patients in control group showed a significant worsening of BMD (P<0.05) 12 months into the study. At all follow-up points, lumbar BMD of the study group was significantly greater (P<0.05), whereas femoral BMD of those treated with risedronate was only significant at 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). There was a trend of more vascular calcifications and fractures in the control group, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Weekly oral administration of risedronate immediately after renal transplantation contributes to an improved BMD, particularly in the femoral neck at 6-month follow-up, without major side effects. Long-term follow-up is needed to establish whether oral risedronate has an influence on vascular calcifications and bone fractures.

Prevalence Evolution and Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Allograft and Renal Transplant Patient Survival

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplantation is high. Studying the evolution of cardiovascular risk factors over time may help us to design better strategies to control them. The relative impact of traditional cardiovascular risk factors on allograft survival and mortality in transplant recipients is not clear. This study was performed to determine the incidence and risk factors for allograft survival and mortality among renal transplant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We enrolled 250 patients who had undergone transplantation between 1980 and 2004. They were followed for various periods, and we analyzed the impact of traditional and nontraditional risk factors on renal allograft survival. RESULTS The prevalence of hypertension was >80% during all the follow-up periods. Blood pressure diminished, antihypertensive drug prescription increased, and 15% of patients had adequate blood pressure control during follow-up. The prevalence of pretransplant diabetes mellitus was 6.8%; the incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) was 14.2%. The prevalence of PTDM increased over the course of patient evolution. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was in all cases >70%; total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol decreased; prescription of statins increased; and the percentage of patients with good lipid control also increased. The 25% prevalence of active smoking at the time of transplantation decreased to 13.6% at 10 years posttransplantation. The mean patient follow-up was 8 +/- 4.6 years. Sixty-five patients (26%) lost their grafts and 40 (16%) died during follow-up. Donor age, exercise, diastolic blood pressure, renal function, and albumin levels were independent risk factors for graft loss. Charlson comorbidity index at transplantation, recipient and donor ages, exercise, diastolic blood pressure, and LDL-cholesterol posttransplantation were independent risk factors for mortality among renal transplant recipients. CONCLUSION Blood pressure and lipid control improved during follow-up, however, insufficiently among renal transplant patients. The prevalence of diabetes gradually increased, and the incidence of smoking cessation was low. Diastolic blood pressure, exercise, and albuminemia were the most significant modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for renal allograft survival. Diastolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol level, and exercise were the most relevant modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for the survival of renal transplant patients.