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. 2021 Dec;16(12):1878-1889.
doi: 10.2215/CJN.00520121. Epub 2021 Sep 23.

Post-Transplant Cardiovascular Disease

Kelly A Birdwell  1 , Meyeon Park  2
Affiliations

Post-Transplant Cardiovascular Disease

Kelly A Birdwell et al. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients and a common reason for post-transplant hospitalization. Several traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors exist, and many of them present pretransplant and worsened, in part, due to the addition of immunosuppression post-transplant. We discuss optimal strategies for identification and treatment of these risk factors, including the emerging role of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in post-transplant diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We present common types of cardiovascular disease observed after kidney transplant, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia, and valvular disease. We also discuss screening, treatment, and prevention of post-transplant cardiac disease. We highlight areas of future research, including the need for goals and best medications for risk factors, the role of biomarkers, and the role of screening and intervention.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; coronary artery disease; diabetes; heart failure; hypertension; immunosuppression; kidney transplantation; kidney transplantation series; obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes after kidney transplant.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Management of postkidney transplant cardiovascular disease (CVD). SGLT2, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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