Renal Transplantation in the Older Recipient

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Abstract
Thirteen living related and 54 cadaver renal transplants were done in 62 patients more than 50 yr old. Patients with no coronary or myocardial disease upon coronary angiography were selected preferentially for transplantation. Over-all 1 yr patient and graft survival rates were 88 and 70%, respectively. Among cadaver recipients graft survival was improved (P < 0.001) when prophylactic antilymphoblast globulin was used. There were fewer steroid-related complications (P < 0.001) in recipients managed with a low dose rather than a high dose maintenance prednisone regimen. With careful patient selection and a steroid-sparing immunosuppressive regimen, renal transplantation can be done safely in older recipients with no increased risk of death or graft loss.