title: Chronic allograft nephropathy: pathogenesis and management of an important posttransplant complication.
abstract: Chronic allograft nephropathy is a devastating complication of kidney transplantation that is responsible for a significant proportion of graft loss. This complication is characterized by a progressive decline in kidney function, which is not attributable to a specific cause. Many risk factors exist for the development of chronic allograft nephropathy, including donor-, recipient-, and transplant-related factors (eg, use of calcineurin inhibitors and acute rejection episodes), as well as comorbid conditions such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. There is no definitive treatment for this complication; management has focused on minimization or withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors in conjunction with addition of sirolimus or mycophenolate mofetil. Alterations in the immunosuppressive regimen must be done cautiously, as precipitating acute rejection will cause further damage to the allograft. Optimal control of blood pressure, particularly with the use of agents such as angiotensin II receptor blockers, in conjunction with management of dyslipidemia may be effective concurrent therapies in patients with chronic allograft nephropathy.
authors.affiliation: New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Meredith J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Aull
mesh_terms: D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D000068338:Everolimus; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000068338:Everolimus; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D020123:Sirolimus