Coronary artery disease in renal transplant recipients: an angiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in renal transplant recipients (RT). Coronary artery disease (CAD) in such patients is poorly studied.

METHODS: During 2012-2017, 50 patients with a renal graft (functioning for a minimum of 6 months) were subjected to coronary angiography in our institution. They were matched (for age, gender, diabetes, and indication for angiography) with 50 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing chronic dialysis and 50 patients with normal renal function who were subjected to coronary angiography during the same period. The extent and severity of CAD were assessed by using the SYNTAX score.

RESULTS: RT had a significantly longer duration of ESRD than patients on dialysis (17.5±7.1 vs. 8.5±8.7 years, p<0.01). Mean SYNTAX score was 13.3±12.0 in RT, 20.6±17.5 in patients on dialysis, and 9.4±9.2 in control patients (p<0.01). At least one significantly calcified lesion was present in 75.7% of RT recipients, 92.1% of patients on dialysis, and 15.8% of control patients (p<0.01). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was successful in 93.8% of the attempted cases in RT, 75% of patients on chronic dialysis, and 100% of control patients (p=0.04). In the RT group, SYNTAX score significantly correlated with smoking (p=0.02) and the total vintage of ESRD (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: In this angiographic study, CAD was less severe in RT than in patients on long-term dialysis despite a longer duration of ESRD. Coronary artery calcification was highly prevalent after renal transplantation. PCI in RT had a high rate of angiographic success.