Successful Kidney Transplantation Ameliorates Arterial Stiffness in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

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Purpose: Successful kidney transplantation (KTx) can ameliorate bodily damage caused by end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Arterial stiffness (AS) is one of the critical factors, that shorten the survival of patients due to cardiovascular events. KTx may reduce AS as well; however, this has not been investigated well. We therefore conducted a retrospective study using non-invasive pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is a useful index of aortic damage. Patients and methods: Fifty-eight consecutive kidney recipients (34 men, 24 women) were enrolled in this study. Mean age at transplantation was 40.5±12.3 years and the dialysis period was 73.1±95.8 months. The brachial-ankle PWV was measured preoperatively and six months postoperatively. First, we investigated the relationship between the PWV and the other parameters related to AS. Second, we studied the pre- to post-transplant change in PWV to evaluate the amelioration of AS after successful kidney transplantation. Results: PWV showed significant positive correlations with age, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and abdominal aortic calcification index. After successful KTx, PWV significantly decreased. (P < 0.01) In addition, systolic and diastolic BP significantly decreased. (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) Conclusion: Successful KTx ameliorates AS in ESRD patients. This might explain the improved cardiovascular prognosis of ESRD patients who undergo kidney transplantation.