Delayed Initiation of Tacrolimus Is Safe and Effective in Renal Transplant Recipients With Delayed and Slow Graft Function.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus is widely used in renal transplantation to help prevent acute and chronic rejection, but the nephrotoxicity of tacrolimus may compromise renal function. This study investigates the safety and efficacy in delayed initiation of tacrolimus after antilymphocyte induction therapy in kidney transplant recipients.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis involved data from 68 kidney transplant recipients receiving standard induction therapy (basiliximab [Simulect] or thymoglobulin) combined with tacrolimus. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether the start time of tacrolimus therapy was before or after 24 hours posttransplantation. Acute rejection, common complications of immunosuppression, and graft survival were compared.

RESULTS: The mean (SD) timing of tacrolimus administered in the Delayed group was 4 (1.9) days after transplantation. The Delayed group patients had a higher percentage of slow graft function and delayed graft function than the No-delay group. Compared with the No-delay group, delayed initiation of tacrolimus did not increase risk of biopsy-proven acute rejection, infection, posttransplant diabetes mellitus, graft survival, and patient survival.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed delayed initiation of tacrolimus after antilymphocyte induction therapy is safe and effective in renal transplant recipients with slow or delayed graft function.