Calcium channel blockers in kidney transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
To review the question as to whether treatment with a calcium channel blocker (CCB) influences the course and outcome of cadaveric renal transplantation in recipients treated with cyclosporin A.


METHODS
Computer-assisted search (Medline) and manual search of the literature. Odds ratio, Mantel-Haenszel test, Fischer's test and Chi 2 test.


RESULTS
Two Randomised, placebo-controlled studies, 12 randomised, open studies, 3 retrospective studies, 1 study using a historic control group and 3 studies only reported in abstract form were identified. In the randomised, open studies treatment with CCB reduced the rate of delayed graft function but had no effect on the rate of rejection and graft survival. The effect on graft function was equivocal. In the blind, placebo-controlled studies no beneficial effects of treatment with CCB were found. Treatment with CCB reduced the dose of CyA needed to reach target whole blood level of CyA in nearly all studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are conflicting. Further studies are needed.
Ladefoged
S D
SD
Department of Nephrology, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark.
Andersen
C B
CB
D002102:Cadaver; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016572:Cyclosporine