Immunosuppression Therapy in Kidney Transplantation.

Kidney transplantation is the preferred choice of treatment of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Improvement in surgical techniques and immunotherapy has transformed the field of kidney transplantation. Patients undergoing a kidney transplant have a 95% and 90% graft survival rate at one and 5 years.

Interrogating the haemodynamic effects of haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula on cardiac structure and function.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred type of vascular access for maintenance haemodialysis but it may contribute to maladaptive cardiovascular remodelling. We studied the effect of AVF creation on cardiac structure and function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this prospective cohort study patients with CKD listed for first AVF creation underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at baseline and at 6 weeks.

Five-year outcomes after a change from a cyclosporin-based to a 'low-dose' tacrolimus-based primary immunosuppression regimen for incident kidney transplants--the Glasgow experience.

In January 2007, our centre changed from a cyclosporin (CyA)/azathioprine (Aza)/ prednisolone (Pred) primary immunosuppression regimen (with basiliximab induction and mycophenolate mofetil [MMF] for those at immunologically high risk) to a tacrolimus (Tac) (low dose)/MMF/Pred regimen with basiliximab induction, following presentation of Symphony trial results. This analysis assesses the impact of this change on 5-year outcomes. Three hundred consecutive renal-only transplants were identified: 140 from the 2005-06 era and 160 from the 2007-08 era.

Renal transplantation is not associated with regression of left ventricular hypertrophy: a magnetic resonance study.

Background And Objectives: Patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRD) have an increased risk of premature cardiovascular (CV) disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for CV events and death in ESRD. Renal transplantation has been associated with reduction in CV risk and echocardiographic regression of left ventricular hypertrophy.