Long‐term experience in primary cadaver renal transplants using cyclosporine

Abstract

Abstract Outcomes in primary cadaver‐kidney transplant patients receiving long‐term cyclosporine (CSA) and prednisone were compared to patients receiving azathioprine (AZA) and prednisone. The CSA‐associated 20‐25% improvement in 1‐year graft survival in nondiabetic patients and a 30% improvement in diabetic patients continued to be noted at 3 and 5 yr with parallel kidney transplant loss rates in all groups. The mean serum creatinines in all (four) patient groups were comparable and showed no deterioration to the 5‐yr follow‐up period. Hypertension (incidence of 70‐80%) and hypercholesterolemia was common but was similar in both CSA‐ and AZA‐treated populations. Inevitable progression of CSA nephrotoxicity is not noted in our experience when CSA is used for 5 yr following cadaver kidney transplantation.