RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION - CURRENT STATUS, COMPLICATIONS AND PREVENTION

Renal transplantation is the ideal mode of renal replacement therapy. One-, 5- and 10-year graft survival rates are currently >85%, 60-70% a nd 40-50%, respectively. Graft loss in the first year is predominantly due to vascular complications, acute rejection, and death with a func tioning graft. Other significant causes of early graft dysfunction are urological complications, delayed graft function and drug-induced nep hrotoxicity. Subsequently, graft loss is due to chronic rejection or d eath with a functioning graft secondary to cardiovascular disease, mal ignancy and infection. Renal artery stenosis, chronic cyclosporin neph rotoxicity and recurrent disease also contribute to late graft dysfunc tion. The immunosuppressed renal transplant recipient is at long term risk of infection and neoplasia.