[Kidney transplantation after 60 years of age. Survival of patients and functional results].

  • 10 February 1990
    • journal article
    • abstracts
    • Vol. 19  (5) , 201-4
Abstract
Between January 1, 1984 and October 1, 1988, 36 cadaveric kidney transplantations were performed in 60 to 66 years' old patients (mean: 62.4 years). Induction immunosuppression consisted of rabbit antithymocyte globulins for 10 days or 33B3.1, an anti RIL2 monoclonal antibody (n = 6), with azathioprine and corticosteroids (less than 1 mg/kg/day). Cyclosporin A (CSA) was given on day 10 in doses of 8 mg/kg/day. Steroids were withdrawn on day 45. Actuarial patient and graft survivals were 66 per cent and 80.5 per cent respectively at 1 and 2 years. Mean +/- SD serum creatinine level was 178 +/- 77 mumol/l at one year. The mean CSA dose adjusted to total blood CSA levels was 4.75 +/- 1.7 mg/kg. Five patients died in the first quarter, 2 of opportunistic infections, 2 of cardiovascular disease and 1 of gastric haemorrhage. The prevalence of rejection episodes during the first 3 months was lower than in the general population (22 per cent vs 27 per cent); all were reversible with bolus injections of corticosteroids. These results indicate that kidney transplantation can successfully be performed in elderly patients with a low rejection rate and an excellent long-term graft survival. However, the mortality was higher than in younger recipients.

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