RESULTS OF CARDIAC OPERATIONS IN 5 KIDNEY-TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Because of the paucity of literature reports about cardiac operations in renal-transplant patients we performed a retrospective study encomp assing all such patients operated upon in our institution in 1993 and 1994. During this time 5 renal transplant patients underwent cardiac s urgical procedures between 1 and 9 years after transplantation: in 4 p atients coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was carried out and in one patient aortic valve replacement. We analyzed pre-, peri-, and pos toperative data. Late results were obtained by questionnaire from the patients' primary physicians. Short- and long-term results were excell ent. Mortality was 0%. At late follow-up (8-23 months) all patients we re in NYHA class II or better. Postoperatively all patients experience d a clear improvement of their cardiac symptoms. None of the transplan ted kidneys deteriorated. One patient who had to undergo intermittent hemodialysis preoperatively improved so much that she did not require any dialysis postoperatively. Although the total number of patients in this study is limited we believe it can be stated that renal transpla nt patients can undergo cardiac operations with generally good results .