Cardiovascular risk profile with the new immunosuppressive combinations after renal transplantation

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains the main cause of death among kidney transplant patients. Cardiovascular risk burden already present at the moment of transplantation is substantially worsened by chronic use of immunosuppressants. On the other hand, chronic allograft nephropathy, a clinical-pathological result of immunological and non-immunological damage of the graft, is the main cause of graft loss in the long-term. Among the non-immunological factors contributing to the development of chronic allograft nephropathy, cardiovascular risk factors also seem to play a role. In the present review, we analyse the impact of the different immunosuppressive medications on cardiovascular risk factors after renal transplantation, including renal function.