Evaluation of Arterial Stiffness after Successful Renal Transplantation in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular problems are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Our knowledge about cardiovascular events after renal transplantation in ADPKD patients are limited. This study aimed to compare arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risks in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with and without ADPKD.

MATERIAL and METHODS: 29 control patients with normal coronary angiography, 22 RTRs without ADPKD and 12 RTRs with ADPKD were studied. Arterial elasticity was determined by applanation tonometry in all participants.

RESULTS: Age, height, weight, waist measurement, small artery elasticity index(SAEI) and fasting blood glucose were signifi cantly lower in patients with a kidney transplant (n=34) than in control subjects. Duration of dialysis before transplantation, family history of coronary artery disease, and mean age were signifi cantly higher in ADPKD compared to non ADPKD transplant patients. Arterial elasticity measurements (SAEI, LAEI) were the same in the two groups.

CONCLUSION: SAEI levels were significantly lower in RTRs compared with the control group. However, the presence of ODPBH did not affect measurements of arterial stiffness in this population.