Analysis of the cardiovascular risk profile in stable kidney transplant recipients after 50% cyclosporine reduction.
BACKGROUND
Long-term use of cyclosporine (CsA) contributes to post-transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hence, a reduction in CsA dosage in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) may improve long-term outcomes. We analyzed the effects of 50% CsA dose reduction on the CVD risk profile in stable KTR.


METHODS
Thirty-one KTR on a regimen of CsA, prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were studied. Patients were randomized to either a) continue their previously determined CsA dose (control group, n = 15) or b) lower their CsA dose by 50% (CsA reduction group, n = 16). Renal function, blood pressure, lipid profile, plasma homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and uric acid were compared at baseline and at 6 months.


RESULTS
At 6 months, there was a significant improvement in allograft function, systolic blood pressure, number of anti-hypertensive medications and serum uric acid levels in the CsA reduction group. No significant decrease in plasma HCY, CRP, fibrinogen or improvement in lipid profile was found. In contrast, in the Control group, there was a significant increase in HCY, uric acid, and triglycerides. No acute rejection occurred in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
A greater reduction in CsA dose could further improve CVD risk profiles, although this may increase the risk of acute or subclinical rejection.
Wong
Waichi
W
Transplantation Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, 02114, USA. wwong@partners.org
Tolkoff-Rubin
Nina
N
Delmonico
Francis L
FL
Cardarelli
Francesca
F
Saidman
Susan L
SL
Farrell
Mary Lin
ML
Shih
Vivian
V
Winkelmayer
Wolfgang C
WC
Cosimi
A Benedict
AB
Pascual
Manuel
M
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D006710:Homocysteine; D014527:Uric Acid; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011239:Prednisolone; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid