Background: Renal allograft outcome in heart-kidney transplantation (HKTx) might be affected by hemodynamic instability and high levels of calcineurin inhibitor-dependent immunosuppression.
Methods: From November 1999 to March 2008, 13 patients who received HKTx were compared with a matched control group of 13 kidney transplantation (KTx) recipients with similar cardiovascular risk factors. Graft function, rejection periods, and patient survival were analyzed.
Results: Renal allograft rejection was noted in three patients (23%) after HKTx and in four patients (31%) after KTx. Serum creatinine levels were comparable at 1 week, 1 month, 1, 2, and 3 years after transplantation. Patient survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 100% for HKTx recipients and 100, 92, and 92% for isolated KTx patients. Graft survival was 92% at 1, 2, and 3 years after HKTx and 100% at 1 year and 92% at 2 and 3 years after isolated KTx.
Conclusions: Our results with excellent long-term graft function and survival after combined HKTx indicate that this procedure is a valuable option for a growing number of patients suffering from coexistent cardiac and renal failure.
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