title: Patients After Kidney Allograft Failure: Immunologic and Nonimmunologic Considerations.
abstract: Patients returning to dialysis after kidney transplant failure represent approximately 5%-15% of the population starting hemodialysis. These patients exhibit a high risk of morbidity and mortality attributed mainly to the exposure to immunosuppressive medications and to a uremic environment. The purpose of this paper was to review data regarding survival after renal allograft failure and the optimal management of patients before returning to dialysis. Moreover, issues surrounding nephrectomy after renal allograft failure, the tapering of immunosuppression and the possibility of retransplantation are examined, because they seem to be crucial for patient survival and the quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marinaki
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: c_skalioti@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skalioti
authors.affiliation: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Nephrology Department and Renal Transplantation Unit, Laiko Hospital, Athens Greece.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boletis
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*