A Comparison of Different Algorithms for the Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients at Waiting List for Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death after renal transplantation with a high prevalence in dialysis patients. It is still a matter of debate how to assess the cardiovascular risk in kidney transplant candidates. Several approaches and scores exist and found their way into the guidelines.

The influence of immunosuppressive agents on BK virus risk following kidney transplantation, and implications for choice of regimen.

The increasing incidence of BK-associated nephropathy following kidney transplantation has prompted an examination of strategies for risk reduction and management through immunosuppression manipulation. Evidence from retrospective and prospective studies suggests that BK viruria and viremia, and the need for BK virus treatment, are higher with tacrolimus than cyclosporine. Combined therapy with tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid may be associated with a particularly higher risk of BK infection, but data are conflicting as to whether mycophenolic acid per se is an independent risk factor.