DERANGEMENT OF LIPID-METABOLISM AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Hyperlipidemia is a common clinical finding in postrenal transplant pa tients. Increasing clinical data suggest that the dyslipidemia seen in these patients is associated with the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In addition, recent data suggest that disorder ed lipid metabolism may be a risk factor for chronic allograft loss. T he precise mechanisms whereby dyslipidemia contributes to vascular inj ury are unknown. No long-term interventional studies of lipid-lowering therapies have been conducted in this patient population. However, a number of short-term studies have shown that the newer antilipemic age nts can be safely used in renal transplant patients. Thus, it appears that antilipemic therapy is warranted in renal transplant patients wit h an atherogenic lipid profile and multiple risk factors.