Pulmonary Hypertension Is Closely Related to Arterial Stiffness in Renal Transplant Patients

Abstract

Introduction and Aims. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an independent predictor of increased mortality in patients on dialysis and those undergoing renal transplantation. We investigated PH and its association with vascular calcification and endothelial dysfunction in renal transplant patients.

Methods. The records of 300 consecutive patients who underwent renal transplant in our center between 2005 to 2012 were evaluated. PH was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) >= 35 mm Hg. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, pulse wave velocity (PWv), and renal recessive indices (RRI) were collected and compared among patients with and without PH.

Results. Eight patients in PH group (age 36 [19] years) and 87 subjects in nPH group (age 35 [9] years) were evaluated. Demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory data of the 2 groups were similar. Additionally, sPAP was positively correlated with PWv (r = 0.263, P = .01). In multivariate analyses, RRI (P = .004), serum CRP (P = .025), and PWv (P = .001) were associated with pulmonary artery pressure.

Conclusion. PH is significantly associated with arterial stiffness in renal transplant recipients who have a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Considering the common prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, including PH, we suggested that all patients with renal transplantation should be evaluated for regular echocardiographic examination in clinical practice.