Risk of cardiovascular disease associated with refractory hypertension in renal transplant recipients

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is common after renal transplantation, affecting as many as 80% of recipients. It is generally accepted that hypertension is associated with poor graft survival and reduced life expectancy because of increased cardiovascular risk factors. The prevalence of refractory hypertension in renal transplant recipients is unknown, and could be associated with a poor prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of refractory hypertension on cardiovascular disease (CVD) after renal transplantation in 486 patients with grafts functioning for longer than 1 year.

Patients and methods: Patients were classified into 2 groups: (1) 57 with refractory hypertension, that is, systolic blood pressure 130 mm Hg or greater or diastolic blood pressure 80 mm Hg or greater, and receiving treatment with at least 3 drugs, one of which was a diuretic; and (2) the remaining 429 patients. Patient and graft survival, and posttransplantation CVD were analyzed.

Results: Refractory hypertension was associated with male sex (82.5% vs 66.5% [P<.01]), poor renal function (mean [SD] serum creatinine concentration 2.2 [1.2] mg/dL vs 1.6 [0.6] mg/dL; Modification of Diet in Renal Disease score 39.2 [20.0] mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 49.2 [18.0] mL/min/1.73 m2 [P=.000]; and steroid therapy (94.7% vs 79.0% [P=.001]). In the group with refractory hypertension, 5-year patient and graft survival rates were lower, and the incidence of posttransplantation CVD was greater (relative risk, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.18; P=.03).

Conclusion: Refractory hypertension is an independent risk factor for increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients.