Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs): CNIs cause vasoconstriction as noted above. CCBs, specifically vasodilating dihydropyridines, have been shown to improve renal plasma flow and GFR [9,16]. A small prospective study comparing amlodipine to placebo showed a slower decline in GFR at one year [13]. There was no effect on LV mass and only a modest decrease in proteinuria. Diltiazem did not appear to offer the same protection [14].
RAAS Inhibitors:The use of RAAS inhibitors is beneficial in most patients with CKD; however, this has not been shown in OHT patients. A systematic review of randomized studies in CSA-treated kidney
AbstractBackground: The use of calcineurin inhibitors revolutionized transplantation by prolonging patients' survival. However, their utility is limited by the development of significant chronic kidney disease.
Methods:We reviewed the English literature looking for recent publications regarding the management of chronic kidney disease in cardiac transplant patients. We chose relevant papers based on design, number of patients and clinical utility.Results: Most publications on the subject involve small populations with few prospective, randomized studies. Early use of tacrolimus appears to be associated with better kidney function after one year compared to cyclosporine. Once chronic kidney disease is established, successful strategies include reduction or elimination of calcineurin inhibitors while relying on mycophenolate mofetil, proliferation signal inhibitors or anti-CD 25 antibodies to prevent rejection. There is no follow up longer than two years with these approaches. Kidney transplantation might offer improved long-term survival compared to dialysis in end-stage disease.
Conclusions:Prospective studies with long-term follow-up are needed to decide about the timing and to confirm the utility of replacing calcineurin inhibitors with other agents in cardiac transplant patients with chronic kidney disease. transplant patients show, after a median of 27 months, a reduction in GFR (around 5.8 cc/min) with a reduction of proteinuria (decrease of 470 mg/day) [17]. It is uncertain if the reduction in proteinuria would translate into better outcomes in the long run. In fact, Opelz et al. showed, in a retrospective study of 1,744 OHT patients, that the use of RAAS inhibitors did not improve patient survival after 6 years [18]. The same study looked at 17,209 kidney transplant patients and showed no difference in graft or patient survival [18]. The use of spironolactone in rat models prevented the decline in GFR and the histologic changes seen with CSA [19]. There are no data in patients.
Management of Calcineurin
Modification of immunosuppressive drugsTransplant centers have tried multiple immunosuppressive strategies in OHT patient with CKD to prevent progression of renal dysfunction. Most of the data come from small studies, limiting the strength of recommendations that can be made. Larger studies come usually from kidney transplantation literature.
Tacrolimus:In small studies, Tacrolimus (TAC) do...