title: [Post-transplant erythrocytosis].
abstract: Post-transplant erythrocytosis is defined as an increase in hematocrit above 55%. It occurs in 10%-15% of renal transplant recipients, most commonly from 8 to 24 months after transplantation. Twenty-five percent of patients experience spontaneous remission within 2 years, while 75% develop symptoms and signs of hyperviscosity (headache, hypertension, plethora). The etiology is multifactorial and includes erythropoietin, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and IGF-1 as the main factors. RAS inhibition with either ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers is efficient therapy which decreases hematocrit in 90% of patients within 2 to 6 weeks, thus decreasing the incidence of fatal complications (like pulmonary embolism and stroke).
authors.affiliation: Klinicki bolnicki centar Zagreb i Medicinski fakultet Sveucilista u Zagrebu, Zavod za nefrologiju, arterijsku hipertenziju i dijalizu, Hrvatska. zpalekal@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Zeljka
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mustapić
authors.forename: Nikolina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Basić-Jukić
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lovcić
authors.forename: Petar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kes
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy