EFFECT OF NIFEDIPINE OIL RENAL-FUNCTION IN LIVER-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS RECEIVING TACROLIMUS

The effect of nifedipine on renal function in liver transplant recipie nts who were receiving tacrolimus was evaluated between January 1992 a nd January 1996. Two groups of patients receiving tacrolimus were comp ared over a period of 1 year, one group comprising hypertensive patien ts who were receiving nifedipine, and the other comprising nonhyperten sive patients not receiving nifedipine. The time from transplant to ba seline was similar in all patients. Nifedipine significantly improved kidney function as indicated by a significant lowering of serum creati nine levels at 6 and 12 months. The observed positive impact of nifedi pine on reducing the nephrotoxicity associated with tacrolimus in live r transplant recipients should be an important factor in selecting an agent to treat hypertension in this population.